Last night's Central Ohio Python meeting was a lot of fun!<div><br></div><div>I wanted to share a few links that were mentioned in conversations I was in last night for the benefit of the whole group. If you have other links and tidbits to share, please reply!</div>
<div><br></div><div>First, Ramond Chandler is working on a cool new startup called Grammar Tree that will provide tool, activities, and assessments for teachers and students in language arts. He is planning on building the system using Django and Python: <a href="http://www.grammartree.org/" target="_blank">http://www.grammartree.org</a></div>
<div><br></div><div>Raymond is also looking for some part-time Django consulting work to help in the transition between corporate/state job and startup, so if you know of anyone that needs Django or Python development, send him a note!</div>
<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>While not strictly Python related, there was a discussion about teaching from first principles, and Pete Carswell had some thoughts on teaching computer graphics from first principles. I mentioned that there was a recent book/workbook on teaching computer CPU/machine language/assembly from first principles that was very well reviewed (and is on my wish list). The book is called "The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer From First Principles". Here is the link: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Elements-Computing-Systems-Principles/dp/0262640686" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/The-Elements-Computing-Systems-Principles/dp/0262640686</a></div>
<div><br></div><div>While the book came out in 2005, it recently has gained some attention. Here is the book author's page: <a href="http://www1.idc.ac.il/tecs/" target="_blank">http://www1.idc.ac.il/tecs/</a></div>
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The interesting approach this book takes is that it's software-based. You create a CPU, but you create it by simulation. One person even decided to implement the CPU in Minecraft! <a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/10/virtual-computers/" target="_blank">http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/10/virtual-computers/</a></div>
<div><br></div><div>And finally, here is the author himself talking about the approach and the book... From NAND to Tetris in 12 steps: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtXvUoPx4Qs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtXvUoPx4Qs</a></div>
<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We also talked about Ray Tracing and how Nvidia recently demo'ed real-time ray tracing in their latest chip set. Here is the video: <a href="http://youtu.be/h5mRRElXy-w?hd=1" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/h5mRRElXy-w?hd=1</a> </div>
<div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Cheers,</div><div>Eric</div><div><br></div>