Teaching CS in Dallas

What is in my ScotteVest – T-Shirt

I want a ScotteVest but until I lose some weight, I’m holding back.  However, I do have several of their T-shirts and here is what is in mine.

Except the first half is missing where I show I keep my phone and Bluetooth (upper pocket)  Will try to re-do.

 

APRESS.COM : Zune Game Development using XNA 3.0 : 9781430218616

I bought my Zune because I wanted a very portable game development environment.  I have been doing some experimenting with it but haven't gotten very far. 

However, I bought a new book from Amazon and I really like it:

Quoted from http://www.apress.com/book/view/9781430218616:

APRESS.COM : Zune Game Development using XNA 3.0 : 9781430218616

Zune Game Development Using XNA 3.0 is a comprehensive book that will guide you through the many aspects of XNA game development and their specific implementations on the Zune platform. The book addresses Zune game development concepts in detail and shows you how to apply them in practical, step–by–step examples, building complete, working XNA 3.0 examples along the way that you can download and play.

 

I'm just finished Chapter 3.

So far, it's an easy read and if you type everything in correctly it works. 

I think I could teach high school student with this who had had some programming. I will be honest that I haven't done much C# but everything is understandable.  I am going to hand the book to a couple of different kids and see what they think next week.  I'll let you know.

Here's the project from Chapter 3:  http://screencast.com/t/HIWsaWbph

One of the things I like it, is that so far, there has been a project to build each Chapter.

New Toy - Bluetooth Stereo Transmitter

My absolute favorite headphones are Jabra BT 620S and I snagged them cheap from Buy.com 

The bad part?  They don't work with my Zune.

Until today.

I gambled a bit and bought a Sony Portable Stereo Transmitter (TMR-BT10A). It makes my headphones work beautifully with the Zune.

The funny thing is I bought them with my ATT Tilt and mind and have used them with it, but frankly, music, etc. is a pain on the Tilt and much better with the Zune. 

The cool part is that the Sony transmitter will work with anything with a standard jack.

And the sad part, is that Jabra isn't making anything like these headphones any more.  Their latest stereo product lets you listen to Bluetooth music with a corded headset.  Who wants that?

Really Love My Zune

Got a 120 gig Zune for Christmas -- husband gave it to me a few days before Christmas so I would have more time to play with it.

Absolutely love it. 

I use it to listen to Audible Books, especially the New York Times Audible Edition each day. Like the other podcasts too, especially Scott Haselman's.

Music in my classroom.  I hook it up to my desktop speakers and listen to music while my students are working.  It's great because I can easily turn it down when I need to, or stop it.  Kids are listening to their music, why can't I listen to mine?

Music at the doctor's office, especially the chiropractor during physical therapy.  Makes it good faster.

Some while I am walking on the treadmill but I usually watch TV.

Videoes in my classroom -- I download videos I like, hook the Zune to my projector and good to go.  Quickest, smallest way to do that.

Dog videos and dog pictures.  Gives me an easy interface to share my pictures with others.  Much easier than my Windows Mobile phone.  And videos are even easier.

Also love the wireless sync. Can remotely login to my Zune computer, pick music and update while I am anywhere in the house.  Do that for Podcasts too.

I almost forgot -- my favorite part of my Zune is Zune Pass.  I hate the idea of iTunes, loved Napster to Go and Zune Pass is even better.  And worth the money.

Gateway M275 Nightmares

I got the bright idea of wiping the hard drive on my Gateway M275 Convertible Notebook.  Halfway into the install, it failed.  Seems my CD-Rom is idelibily scratched.  Went out to the Gateway site to order a new one, and they sent me to a MPCCorp website.  Who filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Come to find out, today is their last day of operation and they haven't been able to send out any new System Recovery Disks.

However, I have an MSDN Accademic Alliance subscription, and downloaded a version of the XP Tablet software.  However, it wants a CD I don't have and don't see on the MSDN site, which I think is essential to networking.

After another internet search today, I saw where someone else had loaded Vista on theirs and it worked, so I tried that.  Sure enough, not only does Vista work but it works well.

Right now, I'm playing music off the Zune marketplace which I couldn't do before the Vista install.

Oh, and the point?  I want a portable game development machine.  I've already used this computer to develop XBox360 games, but doing so with the Zune would make it even more portable.

I do have a lead on a getting the original System Restore disk, in case anyone is interested, but I think the Vista route is the best.

Thanks as always to the Microsoft Cruise ship gang, especially AlfredTwo and Crutkas (my Microsoft Twitter gods).

UPDATE: If you have a Gateway Notebook and need the recovery software, contact me.  I think I can help, and don't think it is a problem since neither company will take responsibility and it won't work without the code on the computer.

VISTA IS a good option.  Right now, my Zune is working well,and the Zune software won't load at all running Windows XP.

Internet Connectivity

So my husband and I are on our way to the Las Vegas Alice and Media Computation workshop. I have had internet access most of the trip. We left Dallas at noon and are approaching Santa Rosa New Mexico. Several times I have had little Gs on the screen but the 8525 just reconnects and grabs stuff from the exchange server when that happens. the most 'fun' has been the GPS and following our progress with it. Don't woory it get worse I am insisting we stop at a stuckys and have been taking pictures of reststops.

Technology Prices going down

We had a major storm this week, and as always, I lost a piece of equipment.  This time, a 19" LCD monitor. 

I decided to go over to the local Office Depot and replace it.  Found the exact same monitor for just under $200, so pulled the ticket and went to the register.  Took a while for them to come back with it, and when they did, they told me that there was "good new and bad news".

Bad news -- they didn't have the 19" monitor.

Good news -- they had the same brand monitor (Viewsonic), but bigger 20" wide screen, for $50.00 less.

Yes, it's the monitor I'm using to write this post.

GPS is COOL!

Okay, it's been awhile since I've blogged.  STEM money, family money and some other grant money have all come together, and I've been picking up some little toys.

One is a Cingular 8525.  I was sort of thinking of waiting for the TILT and going with Windows Mobile 6, but I really liked the Cingular 8525 so picked it up a few weeks ago.

Well, last night I had a few free moments at Frye's -- I've been thinking of ordering a GSP Bluetooth Receiver on line, cheap, but I was a bit afraid of it.  You, I had a GPS receiver a long time ago when you could hook one up to a Palm pilot.  Didn't work well.

Well, I picked up a Nokia one for $49.99 and man is it sweet.  For me, it's perfect, with either Google maps or Live Search.  I may have to go somewhere just to play with it.

U-Verse TV

Love it!  HD picture is gorgeous and it is MUCH cheaper than Time Warner.  Plus there are not 5 duplicate channels.

Interesting, I can watch the HD channels with a regular TV.  I assume I'm use the HD stream but will have to see.

Palm Foleo

I've gone out to the Palm website and I am disappointed in the Foleo. However, I have been disappointed in my Treo since I for my Cingular 8125.

I am actually writing this blog post and not typing it. I am using my new Gateway convertible PC and it is much easier to use then I imagine the Folio is.Besot's using the tablet isn't that hard pairing it with the 8125 isn't had either.

Yes the tablet is more expensive but I think I get more bang for my buck.