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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Maximite FUZE
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
Well, indeed. Linus's take on Java: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa55RKWZxxI Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| JohnS Guru  Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3802 |
Schools? As if. They've been much criticised for teaching MS this and MS that and MS only the other. Yes, MS, MS and MS. And very prescriptive e.g. get marks deducted for using a more efficient keystroke because you have to use the mouse. Supposedly there will be a change but I'm not holding my breath! At more advanced (!!) level they get to use MS Javascript. Yes, must be MS. It's like a form of corruption. Work must be submitted for marking in MS Office 2010 (maybe 2007 is allowed, but not earlier). OpenOffice etc result in deducted marks / a fail. It really is that bad. John |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
That is astonishing!!!! 
Especially the OpenOffice bit - I use OO all the time. MS Office can open the ODT/ODS formats now anyway, so what's the real problem? I would hate to be a student these days if that is how things are - I could see myself in some arguments with the teachers and/or principal over such a stupid and discriminatory rule. OO docs are no more difficult to open. At worst, you would need a copy of OO on the teacher's machine - big deal! But then - I wouldn't mind betting, that the schools have signed contracts with MS for bulk use of their softwares from the OS to Office and others etc, and that contract will state, that students are not allowed to submit papers in formats other then MS ones, and teachers and admin are not allowed to let students use any software from a competitor - I wouldn't put it past MS to insist on that in the contract... Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3802 |
The child concerned carefully submitted the work as DOC (or DOCX) files etc but they're only close not exact to Office so got marks deducted / work refused. It's not funny but I had to buy a copy of Office. If you argue with teachers you're wasting your time. Reprisals occur such as exclusion of the pupil and if your next school is a long way off that's a nightmare. Anyone with money tends to use a non-state school. It's wrong but is what happens and you maybe start to see why. The whole state (not just schools) here lives & breathes MS and almost entirely only MS. The RPi is an attempt to change a very small part of this dire situation. The bad news is that now there's a push from teachers to move to Apple!! Some have started the move. Thankfully this costs no money. Oh, wait, that's wrong. I love my country but cannot recommend it as regards computers and its use of them. Education here sucks unless you have money. John |
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| shoebuckle Senior Member  Joined: 21/01/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 189 |
I thought there were supposed to be anti-discrimination laws to prevent this kind of thing from happening. What happens to a child who doesn't have a computer. There must be many. Can they not submit their work? Hugh |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3802 |
Anti-discrimination would apply if the person was black or gay or disabled or such. Well if they're REALLY poor (or, better, disabled or the like) they might get a computer from the state but more likely they have to stay on after school and use any they can find that work, are in unlocked rooms, etc. You're thinking schools and teachers are at least fair & reasonable, and I'm sure some (maybe many) are. But not all. Ofsted don't test this kind of stuff. Not in their remit. (I bought the PC, too, but it's only reasonable every kid has a PC!) Erm, sorry for the thread hijack. John |
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| shoebuckle Senior Member Joined: 21/01/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 189 |
Coming back to the subject of this thread, I am all for teaching children programming skills. It not only teaches them how to get a computer to do something, it also gives them practice in logical thinking and breaking a problem down into its fundamental parts. Skills which will serve them well in life. For this, the Fuze, MM, RPi, Microbee, TRS80, Apple II and the like are prefect. Small, inexpensive and can be used out of the box. The facility to attach hardware extensions to a computer, to me, is much less important to the majority of users. It is good that it is there for those few who want it, but the majority of people will probably limit themselves to following a predefined example, if at all, such as controlling an LED or relay, or reading a value. The more ambitious might build the rechargeable battery tester that was described in Silicon Chip. It is also most important IMHO to have both pre-built and kit options as there is a considerable market for both, although I suspect that the pre-built is the larger of the two if they are adopted by education establishments. I applaud Geoff, CG, TZ and others for the hours of work they have put in to make these delightful little devices available to us and for the support they provide when we stuff up or need an extra tweak. My hat's off to you all. Cheers, Hugh |
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| plasma Guru Joined: 08/04/2012 Location: GermanyPosts: 437 |
Hi i bought me an Atari 800xe on eBay to solve the "Cover" Problems.. An Mini arduino convert the original Keyboard to PS2 ( in work). Sound will including , heh we have Stereo Now ! All other is the Same as the link above but less cheaper (also with the arduino) I can also use an small USB Keyboard , i Need Some Tests with the original. Pics next Time Cua |
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Juri74 Senior Member Joined: 06/02/2012 Location: ItalyPosts: 162 |
if could help, i'm using an ACK-595 ps2 keybord.. mine is white but it exist black too! buyed for 9.9 euros on ebay, it work perfectly and it's very small!! 140mm heigh and a bit less than 290mm width 
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| plasma Guru Joined: 08/04/2012 Location: GermanyPosts: 437 |
i get an c64ii cover before the atari 130 so i use this. First steps... 
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| Juri74 Senior Member Joined: 06/02/2012 Location: ItalyPosts: 162 |
hey that keyboard fits perfectly!! |
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Bill.b Senior Member Joined: 25/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 226 |
here is a ps2/usb Keyboard for anyone who require one or this one is PS2 only. Bill In the interests of the environment, this post has been constructed entirely from recycled electrons. |
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