squeakland March 2004

squeakland@lists.squeakfoundation.org

35 participants
38 discussions

[ANN][FIX] plugin problems on Windows
by Michael Rueger 25 Mar '04

25 Mar '04

Hello Squeaklanders, turns out that the newest version of the plugin has problems creating the "My Squeak" folder. There is now a fixed version up on squeakland. Apologies for any inconveniences! Michael

1 0

Re: Squeakland Digest, Vol 11, Issue 20
by Steve 25 Mar '04

25 Mar '04

I'm still not having any luck with running commands sequentially. I've looked at "batch pen trails" and checked or unchecked it runs the script the same (ie. Forward 5 Turn 5 draws a circle). I'm sure I'm missing something somewhere. What I would like to accomplish is to draw a landscape in the World that students would create a robot (like the Mars Rovers) to explore. They would write scripts to send to their robots, they would also need scripts running that would sense danger and pause and start appropriate alternate scripts. The terrain could change and the robots would need to be able to adapt, students could then create their own landscapes and challenges for others. In Microworlds we are able to write scripts and run them sequentially, and that is I suppose what I'm looking for. An example would be to program the turtle to draw a house with a door and window. Again, I hope I'm not being dense and missing something simple (it wouldn't be the first time) and that this is the appropriate place for this to posed. Thanks much. On Mar 24, 2004, at 12:00 PM, squeakland-request(a)squeakland.org wrote: > At 7:28 PM +0100 3/24/04, Thomas Oeding wrote: >> Forward for Steve Gutierrez <sjg9360(a)lausd.k12.ca.us>: >> >> I've been following this discussion with interest. I'm very >> interested >> in getting sketch morphs to follow sequential commands a la the Lego >> Brick rather than running Forward 5 and Turn 5 simultaneously, so an >> object could complete a series of steps and then based on the results >> fire off a new script. Would this be done with text scripting? > > No. As I mentioned, just turn off "batching" in the playfields you > want to affect. The world is a playfield and you can turn off > batching for your project by: > - getting the world menu > - clicking on "playfield options" > - make sure that "batch pen trails" is set to off. > > This can also be done for individual playfields. > > Also, it would be good if you could say more specifically what your > larger goal is here. There might be a nice way to do it in etoys .... > Are you trying to run a maze, etc.? > > Cheers, > > Alan

2 1

Re: Squeakland Digest, Vol 11, Issue 17
by Thomas Oeding 24 Mar '04

24 Mar '04

Forward for Steve Gutierrez <sjg9360(a)lausd.k12.ca.us>: I've been following this discussion with interest. I'm very interested in getting sketch morphs to follow sequential commands a la the Lego Brick rather than running Forward 5 and Turn 5 simultaneously, so an object could complete a series of steps and then based on the results fire off a new script. Would this be done with text scripting? On Mar 23, 2004, at 12:00 PM, squeakland-request(a)squeakland.org wrote: > Send Squeakland mailing list submissions to > squeakland(a)squeakland.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > squeakland-request(a)squeakland.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > squeakland-owner(a)squeakland.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Squeakland digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: getting code from a .txt file into a script (Ned Konz) > 2. Re: getting code from a .txt file into a script (Alan Kay) > 3. Re: getting code from a .txt file into a script (Alan Kay) > 4. Question: delays, collections, object instance variables > (Thomas Oeding) > 5. Re: getting code from a .txt file into a script (Bert > Freudenberg) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 08:53:31 -0800 > From: Ned Konz <ned(a)squeakland.org> > Subject: Re: [Squeakland] getting code from a .txt file into a script > To: squeakland(a)squeakland.org > Message-ID: <200403230853.31484.ned(a)squeakland.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > On Tuesday 23 March 2004 8:34 am, Gary Frederick wrote: >> Howdy, >> >> Mitchell, David [CC] wrote: >>> The Squeakland image hides the File List (or it seems that way to >>> me). >>> So, I have to do a little trick to reveal it: >>> >>> Middle-click on the desktop to show the halos. >>> Click the menu halo (red) to show the world menu. >>> Click "desktop menu..." to show (another, different) world menu. >>> Click "open..." to show the open... menu. >>> Click "file list" to open the file list. >>> Use the tree to navigate to the directory containing the .txt file. >>> Select the file in the top-right pane. >>> In the lower pane, select the code (probably all of it). >>> Right-click and choose "do it" (or press Alt+d or Command+d or...). >> >> Thanks! >> >>> All text in squeak is do-able. When I give Squeak presentations, I >>> often >>> select my presentation text and do-it (even TrueType text, which >>> doesn't >>> have "do it" on its menu supports alt+d). Also, you can browse >>> Smalltalk >>> web sites in Scamper and evaluate expressions right out of the >>> browser >>> pane. >> >> This will do it. And it's agreat suggestion I will follow up with. >> >> Now all I have to do is find out how to "do it". ;-) When I tried it, >> Squeak told me it did not understand what I wanted it to do. >> >> This is an etoy. How do I point at the car object? >> >> I had >> self forward: 100 >> I did it and it did not know what self was (I think) >> >> I then tried putting in the car >> Car forward: 100 >> and it did not know how to #forward >> >> How do I reference an object in an etoy? > > Real easy: > > if you have the debugHaloHandle preference turned on, you can bring up > an etoy > object's halos, click on the light grey debug handle, and then choose > "inspect player". > > The bottom pane of this inspector will interpret 'self' as the etoy > object > (the player). > > Or you can open an empty script, turn on the text mode check box, and > then > enter script text in there and then hit the '!' button to try it. > > > -- > Ned Konz > http://bike-nomad.com/squeak/ > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 09:12:56 -0800 > From: Alan Kay <Alan.Kay(a)squeakland.org> > Subject: Re: [Squeakland] getting code from a .txt file into a script > To: Gary Frederick <gary.frederick(a)jsoft.com>, > squeakland(a)squeakland.org > Message-ID: <a05100304bc861b83a06e(a)[192.168.0.3]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" > > Hi Gary -- > > You are between two different worlds. The etoys part of Squeak has > been artificially restricted and carefully designed to make it easier > for children to make *etoys* using various kinds of media. There is a > fair amount of design thought and testing in those decisions, and > some of these are reflected in Kim's and BJ's book "Powerful Ideas in > the Classroom". My strongest advice is to work through these projects. > > (For example, you say "This is an etoy. How do I point it at the car > object?" But it isn't an etoy. In an etoy you get an object by > drawing or from one of the parts bins, get its halo, and click on the > light blue "viewer" button, to open its viewer on the right hand side > of the screen. This viewer holds all the phrases that have meaning to > your object, and these phrases are already "pointed to the object". > If you make scripts from these phrases, they will work. This is how > etoys are programmed in the world of the child.) > > Trying to do "other things" is quite possible, but I wouldn't advise > trying to do it in etoys. The full blown Squeak can run the gamut > from the very simple to writing its own OS, so it ranges from about 5 > years old to Computer Science PhD projects. For example, it is quite > easy to implement LOGO or any other language system in Squeak -- but > there is still a fair amount of work and thought involved. > > For most users, including many experts, it is the UI that determines > in their minds just what they think they can do and whether they > think they will like the experience. The UI in the full blown Squeak > is *not* set up for children, and the first thing to do here if you > wish to go your own way, is to make a suitable UI environment for > children that gives them access to your ideas in a way that works for > them. This is quite a design and testing task, but is definitely > doable. However, if this is not done, then the children wind up with > the worst of both worlds. > > BTW, the best way to get children attracted to any of this stuff is > to first get them to make a project of their own -- such as the > "Drive a Car" project in etoys. There is a certain kinesthetic and > visceral satisfaction to making things on the computer, especially > things that involve programming. This is what the kids need to > experience first and foremost. Showing them what other children have > done should come later. > > Best wishes, > > Alan > > > > At 10:34 AM -0600 3/23/04, Gary Frederick wrote: >> Howdy, >> >> Mitchell, David [CC] wrote: >>> >>> The Squeakland image hides the File List (or it seems that way to >>> me). So, I have to do a little trick to reveal it: >>> >>> Middle-click on the desktop to show the halos. >>> Click the menu halo (red) to show the world menu. >>> Click "desktop menu..." to show (another, different) world menu. >>> Click "open..." to show the open... menu. >>> Click "file list" to open the file list. >>> Use the tree to navigate to the directory containing the .txt file. >>> Select the file in the top-right pane. >>> In the lower pane, select the code (probably all of it). >>> Right-click and choose "do it" (or press Alt+d or Command+d or...). >> >> Thanks! >> >>> >>> All text in squeak is do-able. When I give Squeak presentations, I >>> often select my presentation text and do-it (even TrueType text, >>> which doesn't have "do it" on its menu supports alt+d). Also, you >>> can browse Smalltalk web sites in Scamper and evaluate expressions >>> right out of the browser pane. >> >> This will do it. And it's agreat suggestion I will follow up with. >> >> Now all I have to do is find out how to "do it". ;-) When I tried >> it, Squeak told me it did not understand what I wanted it to do. >> >> This is an etoy. How do I point at the car object? >> >> I had >> self forward: 100 >> I did it and it did not know what self was (I think) >> >> I then tried putting in the car >> Car forward: 100 >> and it did not know how to #forward >> >> How do I reference an object in an etoy? >> >> Sorry for the basic questions. I have no time to look today and want >> to show the kids tomorrow. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Gary >> >>> >>> You could also write a script to read the file and then evaluate >>> its contents. >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: squeakland-bounces(a)squeakland.org on behalf of Gary Frederick >>> Sent: Tue 3/23/2004 6:13 AM >>> To: squeakland(a)squeakland.org >>> Cc: >>> Subject: [Squeakland] getting code from a .txt file into a >>> script >>> Howdy, >>> >>> I am about ready to show the kids Squeak tomorrow. One thing I would >>> like to know how to do is how to read a .txt file that has code into >>> a >>> project (is that how to 'say' what I want to do?) >>> >>> I will have some examples I will want the kids to have as scripts. >>> Say I >>> have a text file that has this in it. >>> >>> box >>> self forward: 100. >>> self turn: 90. >>> self forward: 100. >>> self turn: 90. >>> self forward: 100. >>> self turn: 90. >>> self forward: 100. >>> self turn: 90 >>> >>> I want to be able to read it into a script in a project like the >>> script >>> project in the Worlds of Squeak. >>> >>> This is a class of kids that are playing with robots. They have been >>> working with programming LEGO robots and with a simulator. I am >>> interested in taking their programs and translating them into a >>> script >>> they can use in Squeak... if I can get the .txt files into scripts. >>> >>> I'll put some scripts into an image and let them each have a copy of >>> the >>> image if I don't find out how to go from a .txt file to a script. >>> That >>> solution is better than nothing and I can do it by tomorrow :-) >>> >>> Gary >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Squeakland mailing list >>> Squeakland(a)squeakland.org >>> http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Squeakland mailing list >> Squeakland(a)squeakland.org >> http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland > > > -- > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 09:14:00 -0800 > From: Alan Kay <Alan.Kay(a)squeakland.org> > Subject: Re: [Squeakland] getting code from a .txt file into a script > To: Ned Konz <ned(a)squeakland.org>, squeakland(a)squeakland.org > Message-ID: <a05100305bc8620c4dc8f(a)[192.168.0.3]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" > > But what does this have to do with children and the UI they need? > > Cheers, > > Alan > > ------ > > At 8:50 AM -0800 3/23/04, Ned Konz wrote: >> On Tuesday 23 March 2004 4:13 am, Gary Frederick wrote: >>> box >>> self forward: 100. >>> self turn: 90. >>> self forward: 100. >>> self turn: 90. >>> self forward: 100. >>> self turn: 90. >>> self forward: 100. >>> self turn: 90 >>> >>> I want to be able to read it into a script in a project like the >>> script >>> project in the Worlds of Squeak. >>> >>> This is a class of kids that are playing with robots. They have been >>> working with programming LEGO robots and with a simulator. I am >>> interested in taking their programs and translating them into a >>> script >>> they can use in Squeak... if I can get the .txt files into scripts. >> >> Are you using the eToy environment? I assume that's what you want. >> >> You can use text scripting instead of tiles. The check box at the >> left top of >> the editor changes between the two modes. >> >> However, if you edit the text in text mode you can't see it or edit >> it in >> (classic) tiles any more. >> >> Here's a quick way to see the text format: >> >> * turn on the "debugHaloHandle" preference >> * go to the "drive a car" project in the Worlds of Squeak. >> * bring up the halos on the car. >> * click on the grey (debug) halo. >> * click on "browse player class". >> >> You will see a browser with the Player157 class in it. >> Get the context menu on the name of the class (Player157) and choose >> "fileOut". >> >> Now you will have a Player157.st file on disk. >> >> Here's what it looks like (NOTE that you MUST use bare CR characters >> (Mac text >> format) if you are editing or building such scripts, though CR/LF may >> also >> work in a pinch): >> >> --------------- 8< -------------- >> 'From Squeak3.7alpha of 11 September 2003 [latest update: #5816] on >> 23 March >> 2004 at 7:44:49 am'! >> Player subclass: #Player157 >> instanceVariableNames: 'isTrue' >> classVariableNames: '' >> poolDictionaries: '' >> category: 'Morphic-UserObjects'! >> >> !Player157 methodsFor: 'access'! >> getIsTrue >> ^ isTrue! ! >> >> !Player157 methodsFor: 'access'! >> setIsTrue: t1 >> isTrue := t1! ! >> >> >> !Player157 methodsFor: 'scripts'! >> drive >> self forward: 7. >> self turn: Wheel getHeading // 5! ! >> >> "-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- "! >> >> Player157 class >> instanceVariableNames: 'cardPlayer111 unscriptedPlayer1 >> unscriptedPlayer2'! >> >> !Player157 class methodsFor: 'reference'! >> refCardPlayer111 >> ^ cardPlayer111! ! >> >> !Player157 class methodsFor: 'reference'! >> refUnscriptedPlayer1 >> ^ unscriptedPlayer1! ! >> >> !Player157 class methodsFor: 'reference'! >> refUnscriptedPlayer2 >> ^ unscriptedPlayer2! ! >> --------------- 8< -------------- >> >> >> So if you could translate your text files into this format you may be >> able to >> use them directly (depending on the vocabulary). >> >> What's the format of your text files? Can you send me one? >> >> You could do this: >> >> * make a blank project with a Sketch in it that represents the robot. >> >> * Make a new script in that Sketch that will prompt for a file and >> read your >> text format into methods (it would be best, probably, to put the >> reader >> method in another class (perhaps Player) so that you can make >> multiple Sketch >> classes that can read such files). >> >> Let's say that your scripts have the method names in column 1. >> >> The enclosed change set (which you would file into your new project) >> will let >> you make a script that will read such files. >> >>> I'll put some scripts into an image and let them each have a copy >>> of the >>> image if I don't find out how to go from a .txt file to a script. >>> That >>> solution is better than nothing and I can do it by tomorrow :-) >> >> You should distribute projects instead of images. >> >> -- >> Ned Konz >> http://bike-nomad.com/squeak/ >> >> >> Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:ScriptEditorText.png (PNGf/ogle) >> (000CAB12) >> Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:ScriptEditor.png (PNGf/ogle) >> (000CAB13) >> Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:ReadTextFilesIntoPlayer-nk.1.cs >> (TEXT/ttxt) (000CAB14) >> Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:getMethodsScriptor.png >> (PNGf/ogle) (000CAB15) >> _______________________________________________ >> Squeakland mailing list >> Squeakland(a)squeakland.org >> http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland > > > -- > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 19:28:48 +0100 > From: Thomas Oeding <Thomas.Oeding(a)gmx.de> > Subject: [Squeakland] Question: delays, collections, object instance > variables > To: squeakland(a)squeakland.org > Message-ID: <13542007203.20040323192848(a)impara.de> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > forward for Poster at Kinetium dot Com <poster(a)kinetium.com>: > > Hi. > > Five questions from a newby. > > 1. It appears that tiles placed in a script are executed as sequential > Smalltalk statements. Is this correct? > > 2. Some tiles (e.g. make sound) appear to involve asynchronous calls to > outside services, returning before completion of that service. For > example, > if I put 2 make sounds in sequence, they get garbled together. Is my > understanding correct, and is there a way to synchronize on the > completion > of the sound or to insert something like a delay between the calls so > they > are heard as two sequential sounds? > > 3. Is it possible to use collections? e.g. can I make a collection of > ladybugs and then use collection methods? I don't mind using text > instead of > tiles. > > 4. If I paint two eToys objects (sorry, don't know the right term), > how can > I set an instance variable of one to point at the oher? > > > 5. Lastly, I noticed that if I view the text version of a script and > edit > it, then switch back to the tile view, I lose the edits I made. Is > there a > gradual way to transition from the tiles, drag-n-drop programming > version to > full(er) Smalltalk or is it an all-or-nothing abrupt jump? > > Thanks!! (and an email reply would be greatly appreciated). > > Newbie > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 19:58:20 +0100 > From: Bert Freudenberg <bert(a)impara.de> > Subject: Re: [Squeakland] getting code from a .txt file into a script > To: squeakland(a)squeakland.org > Message-ID: <0D55A8AA-7CFC-11D8-A4DB-000A9568394E(a)impara.de> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed > > Am 23.03.2004 um 16:36 schrieb Markus Gaelli: >> >> Am Dienstag, 23.03.04 um 16:25 Uhr schrieb Mitchell, David [CC]: >> >>> Middle-click on the desktop to show the halos. >>> Click the menu halo (red) to show the world menu. >>> Click "desktop menu..." to show (another, different) world menu. >>> >> Some weeks ago I found out that you could also press the escape key to >> open the world menu. > > Actually, dragging-and-dropping files onto the Squeak window works on > most machines ... > > - Bert - > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Squeakland mailing list > Squeakland(a)squeakland.org > http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland > > > End of Squeakland Digest, Vol 11, Issue 17 > ******************************************

2 1

Re: [Squeakland] Question: delays, collections, object instance variables
by Thomas Oeding 24 Mar '04

24 Mar '04

Forward for John Maloney <jmaloney(a)media.mit.edu>: Re: >... is there a way to synchronize on the completion of the sound or to insert something like a delay between the calls so they are heard as two sequential sounds? > There's no feature that is directly accessible to etoy tile users that would directly support this. However, using textual scripting, one could invoke AbstractSound method #playAndWaitUntilDone to get the serial effect.  Thus, for example, the following script makes the 'croak' sound be heard only after the 'peaks' sound has completed: A disadvantage of this however is that each time it runs, it ties up the execution of all other ticking scripts until this one has completed, since #playAndWaitUntilDone freezes out all other activity until the wait is over. Perhaps John Maloney can offer us some perspective and some advice here. Cheers, -- Scott The difficult part is arranging to wait for something to finish in the context of an EToy script. As Scott says, doing a wait in one EToy script stops all scripts for the duration of the wait, so you've to use a different strategy. What you could do is to make several different scripts. Each one will test to see if a particular sound has finished. If it has, it will play the next sound, start ticking the script that waits for the newly started sound to end, and stop ticking itself. (My Etoys programming is rusty, but I seem to recall that there are tiles for starting and stopping the ticking of a particular script.) There's probably no tile for checking if a sound has stopped playing, but if you use textual scripting, the method "isPlaying" can be used. Hope this helps! -- John

1 0

getting code from a .txt file into a script
by Gary Frederick 24 Mar '04

24 Mar '04

Howdy, I am about ready to show the kids Squeak tomorrow. One thing I would like to know how to do is how to read a .txt file that has code into a project (is that how to 'say' what I want to do?) I will have some examples I will want the kids to have as scripts. Say I have a text file that has this in it. box self forward: 100. self turn: 90. self forward: 100. self turn: 90. self forward: 100. self turn: 90. self forward: 100. self turn: 90 I want to be able to read it into a script in a project like the script project in the Worlds of Squeak. This is a class of kids that are playing with robots. They have been working with programming LEGO robots and with a simulator. I am interested in taking their programs and translating them into a script they can use in Squeak... if I can get the .txt files into scripts. I'll put some scripts into an image and let them each have a copy of the image if I don't find out how to go from a .txt file to a script. That solution is better than nothing and I can do it by tomorrow :-) Gary

3 4

RE: [Squeakland] getting code from a .txt file into a script
by Mitchell, David [CC] 24 Mar '04

24 Mar '04

The Squeakland image hides the File List (or it seems that way to me). So, I have to do a little trick to reveal it: Middle-click on the desktop to show the halos. Click the menu halo (red) to show the world menu. Click "desktop menu..." to show (another, different) world menu. Click "open..." to show the open... menu. Click "file list" to open the file list. Use the tree to navigate to the directory containing the .txt file. Select the file in the top-right pane. In the lower pane, select the code (probably all of it). Right-click and choose "do it" (or press Alt+d or Command+d or...). All text in squeak is do-able. When I give Squeak presentations, I often select my presentation text and do-it (even TrueType text, which doesn't have "do it" on its menu supports alt+d). Also, you can browse Smalltalk web sites in Scamper and evaluate expressions right out of the browser pane. You could also write a script to read the file and then evaluate its contents. -----Original Message----- From: squeakland-bounces(a)squeakland.org on behalf of Gary Frederick Sent: Tue 3/23/2004 6:13 AM To: squeakland(a)squeakland.org Cc: Subject: [Squeakland] getting code from a .txt file into a script Howdy, I am about ready to show the kids Squeak tomorrow. One thing I would like to know how to do is how to read a .txt file that has code into a project (is that how to 'say' what I want to do?) I will have some examples I will want the kids to have as scripts. Say I have a text file that has this in it. box self forward: 100. self turn: 90. self forward: 100. self turn: 90. self forward: 100. self turn: 90. self forward: 100. self turn: 90 I want to be able to read it into a script in a project like the script project in the Worlds of Squeak. This is a class of kids that are playing with robots. They have been working with programming LEGO robots and with a simulator. I am interested in taking their programs and translating them into a script they can use in Squeak... if I can get the .txt files into scripts. I'll put some scripts into an image and let them each have a copy of the image if I don't find out how to go from a .txt file to a script. That solution is better than nothing and I can do it by tomorrow :-) Gary _______________________________________________ Squeakland mailing list Squeakland(a)squeakland.org http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland

6 6

RE: [Squeakland] getting code from a .txt file into a script
by Mitchell, David [CC] 23 Mar '04

23 Mar '04

Excellent! Perhaps it escapes the safety net of Squeakland? -----Original Message----- From: squeakland-bounces(a)squeakland.org on behalf of Markus Gaelli Sent: Tue 3/23/2004 9:36 AM To: squeakland(a)squeakland.org Cc: Subject: Re: [Squeakland] getting code from a .txt file into a script Am Dienstag, 23.03.04 um 16:25 Uhr schrieb Mitchell, David [CC]: > Middle-click on the desktop to show the halos. > Click the menu halo (red) to show the world menu. > Click "desktop menu..." to show (another, different) world menu. > Some weeks ago I found out that you could also press the escape key to open the world menu. Cheers, Markus _______________________________________________ Squeakland mailing list Squeakland(a)squeakland.org http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland

2 1

[Squeakland] Question: delays, collections, object instance variables
by Thomas Oeding 23 Mar '04

23 Mar '04

forward for Poster at Kinetium dot Com <poster(a)kinetium.com>: Hi. Five questions from a newby. 1. It appears that tiles placed in a script are executed as sequential Smalltalk statements. Is this correct? 2. Some tiles (e.g. make sound) appear to involve asynchronous calls to outside services, returning before completion of that service. For example, if I put 2 make sounds in sequence, they get garbled together. Is my understanding correct, and is there a way to synchronize on the completion of the sound or to insert something like a delay between the calls so they are heard as two sequential sounds? 3. Is it possible to use collections? e.g. can I make a collection of ladybugs and then use collection methods? I don't mind using text instead of tiles. 4. If I paint two eToys objects (sorry, don't know the right term), how can I set an instance variable of one to point at the oher? 5. Lastly, I noticed that if I view the text version of a script and edit it, then switch back to the tile view, I lose the edits I made. Is there a gradual way to transition from the tiles, drag-n-drop programming version to full(er) Smalltalk or is it an all-or-nothing abrupt jump? Thanks!! (and an email reply would be greatly appreciated). Newbie

3 2

RE: [Squeakland] Re: Squeaking Homeschoolers?
by Mitchell, David [CC] 23 Mar '04

23 Mar '04

I read Gary's use of "save the image" to mean "keep the drawing" and not "save the image" as a traditional Smalltalker would say. Is this correct? -----Original Message----- From: squeakland-bounces(a)squeakland.org on behalf of Kim Rose Sent: Mon 3/22/2004 7:54 PM To: Gary Frederick Cc: squeakland.org mailing list Subject: Re: [Squeakland] Re: Squeaking Homeschoolers? Hi, Gary - Sounds to me like you are using the "Squeak.org" image/download as opposed to what one gets when they do the download from "Squeakland.org"....(the "Worlds of Squeak" projects come as part of the "Squeak.org" download.) While these are not really geared to users of your daughter's age, it sounds like she still had some fun. The kids we work with, using the "Squeakland" image, are encouraged to save (publish) their projects (they get saved as a .pr file) and then load them in again to view/play again/change/share. This way, the image is always "fresh/pristine" and never gets saved....the "project" is the unit to be saved. I'd encourge the two of you to look at the "Kids Play" section of the Squeakland site, http://www.squeakland.org/kids/kidshome.html to see and explore more "kid-created" projects. You might also explore this site: http://www.pcs.cnu.edu/%7Ercaton/SqIndex/squeakindex.html for some wonderful Squeak/Etoy projects created by our colleague, Randall Caton, at NASA. Thanks for the feedback -- feel free to send more as you continue to explore! regards, Kim >Howdy, > >I showed her how to start Squeak and how to run the tutorials I got from > http://www.squeakland.org/author/etoys.html#tutorials > >I asked her to play with the car example in "The World of Squeak: >Scripts". She did the tutorials, played with the script example and >then looked around. She modified the example, replacing the car with >something that looks more like a LEGO RCX. She added some of the >widgets to the track and set it to go around the track by moving >forward then turning. She then looked at some of the other examples >in "The World of Squeak". She ended up playing with the music >examples, modifying some midi files. > >She thinks Squeak is worth using more. She said it was confusing at >first and would have liked to have some help as she was getting >going. > >She felt uncomfortable with saving the image at first, wondering if >she would break something when she saved. > >She had some trouble when she was working with her image. We may get >back with details. She found drawing to be comparable to using the >Paint program on Windows. > >I asked her to start using Squeak to get a feel for what it is like >to start Squeaking around without much input. We will work with the >kids when we introduce them, giving them support where needed. I'll >get back with anything that seems worth saying as I show kids. > >Gary > > >Kim Rose wrote: > >>Hi, Gary - >>We'll be interested to learn more about your daughter's experiences >>and thoughts! >>thanks, >>Kim >> >> >>t 8:55 AM -0600 3/22/04, Gary Frederick wrote: >> >>>I'm looking over some of the recent messages and came across this one. >>> >>>I'll be showing homeschoolers Squeak and seeing where they take it >>>over the next little bit. We are working on software that helps >>>you learn to program. I'm thinking of showing one of our classes >>>Squeak today and another Wednesday. The classes are very small >>>(5-6 kids) and the average age is 12. One is all homeschoolers and >>>another is not. >>> >>>>The first aims for the Squeak etoys were at what we called >>>>"lapware" (a parent with a child on their lap). And we have been >>>>wanting to do a major push for homeschoolers for quite a few >>>>years. >>> >>> >>>I remember our daughter setting on my lap drawing flowers and >>>other shapes with LOGO. Several years later we were looking at >>>Toontalk and remember the fantastic feeling I got as she was >>>'aha'ing the messaging between processes. She played with some of >>>the etoys yeserday and I look forward to seeing what she came up >>>with. (She is way bigger than lap size now :-) >>> >>>Gary >>> >>>_______________________________________________ >>>Squeakland mailing list >>>Squeakland(a)squeakland.org >>>http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland >_______________________________________________ >Squeakland mailing list >Squeakland(a)squeakland.org >http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland _______________________________________________ Squeakland mailing list Squeakland(a)squeakland.org http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland

2 1

Re: Squeaking Homeschoolers?
by Gary Frederick 23 Mar '04

23 Mar '04

I'm looking over some of the recent messages and came across this one. I'll be showing homeschoolers Squeak and seeing where they take it over the next little bit. We are working on software that helps you learn to program. I'm thinking of showing one of our classes Squeak today and another Wednesday. The classes are very small (5-6 kids) and the average age is 12. One is all homeschoolers and another is not. > The first aims for the Squeak etoys were at what we called "lapware" > (a parent with a child on their lap). And we have been wanting to do > a major push for homeschoolers for quite a few years. I remember our daughter setting on my lap drawing flowers and other shapes with LOGO. Several years later we were looking at Toontalk and remember the fantastic feeling I got as she was 'aha'ing the messaging between processes. She played with some of the etoys yeserday and I look forward to seeing what she came up with. (She is way bigger than lap size now :-) Gary

2 4

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

squeakland March 2004