Creative Silence Blog

Archive for August, 2011

Quick!  Can you tell me how to prepare a bowl of cereals with milk?  Too simple, right?  You can probably give me a series of no-brainer instructions that I can perform in less than a minute.  Now try telling a computer to do just that.  What began as a simple task has now become complicated.  It’s not just a matter of dumping a cup of cereals in a bowl and pouring milk in.  With computers, it’s so much more than that.  Sounds exciting?  It should be.  Because that’s what you’ll expect once you begin learning computer programming fundamentals.

The basics

Computer programming is a whole new world of possibilities.  Believe it or not, programming actually began in the 1200s, when simple machines were designed to execute simple mechanical tasks.  It has grown both as an art and as a science since then, providing us with the technologies that have made many aspects of our lives easier and faster.

Once you start learning computer programming, some of the basic stuff you’ll encounter include:

- The basic understanding of the discipline

You’ll need a good background in the field in order for you to understand how it really works.  With a solid foundation built on knowing the basics of computer programming, it will be easier to comprehend its details, including procedures, steps and other instructions.

- Understanding the types of programming

Essentially, there are two basic types of programming, each of which has its own uses and set of advantages and limitations.  Procedural programming, while older, is quite useful particularly because it is a much simpler way to tell a computer what to do.  It is also the heart and soul of many computer languages.  Basically, it’s an input-output operation, where a user or programmer inputs a set of instructions and a computer reacts to it by executing those instructions.  Learning procedural programming helps new programmers understand elements such as sequence, selection and iteration.

The other type of programming is object-oriented, which is relatively newer.  This type of programming treats instructions as a set of objects, something that is more convenient in many of the programs that are in use today.  With object-oriented programming, you’ll learn an object’s properties, event handlers and methods.

You’ll learn both types of programming as part of a fundamental or basic course.  These will help you understand how to design codes that are easy for a computer to understand and effective enough to execute.  Using the cereal and milk analogy, for example, you will be able to write a code that will tell a computer how to pour the right amount of cereal into a bowl and how much milk to use, in that order.  And if you’re truly good, you can even tell the computer what specific type of cereal and milk to use.

- Understanding the nature of the code

Another important basic knowledge you must learn in programming is understanding codes.  While their functions are generally the same – that is, to power a computer program – codes differ in design and use depending on the language.  Codes are at the heart of a computer program and will be one of the basics you will learn in programming.

- Learning problem-solving

Much of your time as a first-time computer programmer will be spent poring over problems – how to create a source code for a desired end result, how to fix a bug, how to solve a glitch, how to put things together or in sequence so they work.  You’ll learn how to look at a problem, break it down to its solvable components and come up with ways to solve it.

- Thinking logically.

If you’re not a fan of mathematics and logic, you’ll be dismayed to know that many of the computer programming fundamentals you’ll be learning will require you to think in numbers, figures and sequences.  However, these basics are easy to learn, provided you have the patience to follow the right steps.  Once you’ve trained your mind to think like this, you’re well on your way to a great career as a computer programmer.

Who would have ever thought that video games  – a form of entertainment – could improve the minds of those that play them! The truth is that amid all the cool graphics, the fantastic music, and the intriguing plots, educational opportunities are abound – and to find them, one only needs to look at them a little closer.

1. Video games improve strategic thinking. Rare is the video game that doesn’t require its player to make a decision two or three steps ahead of a current situation. With constant play, players quickly learn the advantage of strategic thinking and they start to apply it to actual world opportunities.

2. Video games improve problem solving. Although the same could be said about any game, video games have proven in study after study to improve problem-solving skills. This is because most (if not all) games are centered around a problem and then challenge the player to solve it. In just one game, a player may solve anywhere from three to a hundred or more different problems.

3. Video games improve hand and eye coordination. If you find this hard to believe, pick up a game controller and try to maneuver around the game. Manipulating a game controller demands the same skills that it takes to maneuver a mouse around a computer screen.

4. Video games facilitate quick decision-making. One quality of video games that lends to quick decision making is its impromptu situations. The element of surprise is always around the corner and it’s what makes games exciting to play. To win however, players must be able to make smart decisions within a very short amount of time.

5. Video games feed the imagination. We don’t really understand the argument against things like television, videos, and gaming where people use the lack of imagination to support their part of the debate. Some people claim that video games take away from the imagination because games supply the mind with things instead of encouraging the mind to come up with these things on their own. Bear in mind that these are the same people who say a stack of blocks is sufficient to grow a child’s imagination. Of course we couldn’t disagree more. The imagery in video games only fuels the imagination and gives it a spring board to form new possibilities that might not have occurred otherwise.

6. Video games encourage exploration. In role-playing games, players must venture off the beaten path and explore the unknown. They have to open doors without knowing what’s behind them. They have to enter areas of the game without knowing the consequence. And they have to interact with characters that they’ve never met before. Inside these particular kinds of games, the opportunity to gather up the courage to explorer unknown territory isn’t just available, it’s required.

7. Video games enforce memorization. Another feature of video games is its strong influence on memorization. The terrain portrayed inside some of these games is huge, yet accessing the maps can be cumbersome and disruptive to the game. To compensate, gamers will not only memorize a large portion of the terrain, they’ll remember the tasks required to get to specific areas.

8. Video games teach consequence. All computer and video games operate off of an “action – reaction” principle. Do something, and the game will react. This is a great opportunity to learn about consequence – whether this opportunity is experienced from a gamer’s point of view or a programmer’s point of view.

9. Video games teach patience, dedication, and endurance. No great game can be conquered in a day. In fact, some of the best and most popular games take weeks or months to finish.

These are just some of the educational opportunities hidden inside video and computer games. After closer investigation, we’re sure you can find more in addition to hours of fun and amazement.

If you are new to ATV’s, chances are you have many questions. Your local ATV dealership will be able to answer many of your questions during a sale but afterwards you will probably have more questions that come up. You may also want to get impartial advice before you purchase your ATV or just network and meet fellow ATV enthusiasts.

The internet has opened up great ways to communicate with anyone, and you can find may ATV forums that will provide you answers to your ATV related questions as well as places to make fiends that share your passion for ATV’s. You can find information on specific ATV models, advice on riding techniques, places to go to ride and information on ATV clubs and events.

One of the best things about ATV forums is the wealth of knowledge available for people considering buying an ATV for the first time. If you want to get information and advice on which ATV is right for you but do not want to bother with the pressure of discussing it with a sales person, and ATV forum is a great place to go for answers. Community members are usually happy to give advice to new ATV owners and will answer all your questions about different ATV types and models.

Best of all, joining a forum is free and you have access to answers 24/7. Buying an ATV is a big investment, and can be quite costly. You can avoid buying a model with problems or one that will not suit you by consulting with experienced rides in a forum prior to buying your ATV.

Another good aspect about ATV forums is that you can find out what ATV events and activities take place in your area. If you are looking for an ATV club to join or want new places to ride, ATV forum members will probably know what is available in your area, all you have to do is ask. You can also get advice on places to go for trips with your ATV and new places to explore. If you are looking for a race track or off road area open to the public, it can be hard to find this information locally. The members in an ATV forum will likely know what areas have such offerings and be able to send you in the right direction.

If you are a beginner, you probably could benefit from some advice on proper riding techniques. An ATV forum is a great place to go to get advice on how to ride and how to properly care for your ATV. You can find out virtually everything you need to know about riding and maintenance from experienced riders in a forum.

If you live in an area where there are few people who ride ATV’s, a forum is a great place to make friends and connect with people who share your passion. You can get lots of god information on every aspect of ATV’s from riding techniques, maintenance, and where to find the best deals on ATV parts and equipment. You can improve you skills while you make friends all from the comfort of you home.