June 26, 2013

An Introduction to Interactive Programming with Python




A few weeks ago, I was looking for some MOOCs (massive open online courses) which teaches interactive python, with which I can make a few games or something. My search ended here.
An Introduction to Interactive Programming with Python





The most exiting thing about this course that you will learn to make some cool games. Moreover you don't even have to download anything to make the games. You just have to code it on Codeskulptor through which you can submit the codes , share with your friends, show off your games. Yes, you maybe wondering what is Codeskulptor.

CodeSkulptor is a browser-based Python interpreter. It implements a subset of Python 2.6, plus the addition of two graphical libraries, SimpleGui and SimplePlot.






This course is taught by four professors from Computer Science Department of Rice University , Joe Warren , Scott Rixner , John Greiner and Stephen WongThey are the most fun professors I ever saw. They make this course more fun.

Prof. Scott Rixner, one of the course’s instructors, is a smart cookie with a Ph.D in electrical engineering from MIT. He developed CodeSkulptor, that lets you edit, save and run Python interactively.
It’s based on two open-source packages that let you edit and run Python code in your browser with just a button click. It’s easy enough for anyone to use it.

This is a some games designed with Codeskulptor - 


  • RiceRocks



  • Pyman



  • Rice Racer



Moreover , if you sign up for Signature Track, you can get Verified Certificate which conforms your identity and can be added into your Curriculum Vitae (CV).Find more about Signature Track here. Signature Track will require a fee of around 80 $ (for this course). But if you don't want to pay that you can always get a regular "Statement of Accomplishment" but it does not conforms the identity of the course taker, so the certificate is rather useless, but you will still learn Interactive Python. 
The following is a sample Signature Track Certificate.








As a conclusion, I would like to say that this is a very nice course. I did it myself and it was an awesome experience.

Course Syllabus

Our course syllabus can be seen at www.codeskulptor.org/coursera/syllabus.html.

Recommended Background

High school mathematics
(Well, I did it with 10th standard education)

Course Format


Our course will last nine weeks.  The lectures from each week will focus on the topics listed in the syllabus while an associated weekly “mini- project” will serve to reinforce these concepts in practice.  Grades for these mini-projects will be determined via peer-assessment.  The class will also include two quizzes each week to provide further feedback.

FAQ

  • Will I get a certificate after completing this class?
    Yes. Students who successfully complete the class will receive a Statement of Accomplishment signed by Joe, Scott, John, and Stephen.

  • What resources will I need for this class?
    The only requirement for the class is access to a modern web browser. All coding and program development will be done in a web-based programming environment that supports building interactive applications in Python. The programs that you create will be saved, shared and graded via the cloud.

  • What is the coolest thing I'll learn if I take this class?
    You’ll be able to build your own games in Python.





June 24, 2013

Did 'Fall Out Boy' Really Saved Rock and Roll?


Recently,about two months ago American rock band 'Fall Out Boy' released their another album named 'Save Rock and Roll'.Their songs were good as usual.
If there's one thing Fall Out Boy deserve credit for, it's making sure that even their greatest enemies are talking about them.But did their new album really saved Rock and Roll?
Desperate to know whether they hit another record or not?Confused if you should download the album?
Read the article to know the answer!

June 17, 2013

Linux Hacks - 6 Tips to Speed up Ubuntu

6 Tips to Speed up Ubuntu


In this guide, I will try to introduce 6 tips that can be useful for those having old computers with low RAM and want to speed up their system for better performance. 

1) Preload

Preload is a daemon that runs in the background (invisible) that detects most used applications and store them in cache so that they can be called quickly, which will result in quick system load time.
Run this command to install Preload :
sudo apt-get install preload
Preload is already configured for use. But if you still want to configure it you can edit this file :
sudo gedit /etc/preload.conf

2) Disable Unnecessary Startup Applications

Some application startup when you log into Ubuntu.You can manage them through settings ,but you may have noticed many applications don't show up there. You , for example, may have installed Dropbox. It startup when you log into Ubuntu but can't see them in the Startup Application Settings.
To view these hidden applications, run this command :
sudo sed -i ‘s/NoDisplay=true/NoDisplay=false/g’ /etc/xdg/autostart/*.desktop

Now you can see more entries in the Startup Applications Settings.





Disable the applications that you don't think its necessary. Unchecking boxes will be a more good idea than removing them from the list as you can re-enable them later. Don't disable if you don't know what it does.


3) Adjust Swappiness

The swappiness value controls the Linux kernel’s tendency to swap – that is, move information out of RAM and onto the swap file on the disk. It accepts a value between 0 and 100.
  • 0: The kernel will avoid swapping process out of physical memory and onto the swap partition for as long as possible.
  • 100: The kernel will aggressively swap processes out of physical memory and onto the swap partition as soon as possible.



To check your current swappiness value, run this command :
cat /proc/sys/vm/swappiness
 The default value is 60, to change this, edit this file :
gksu gedit /etc/sysctl.conf
Look for vm.swappiness in the file and change its value. If it doesn’t exist, add it to the end of the file   on a new line, like so:
vm.swappiness=10
 Save your file and exit. Changes will take effect once you reboot your system.


4) Use TMPFS To Reduce Disk I/O

The /tmp folder receives a lot of hard disk read/write operations. You can simply use your system RAM instead of your hard disk to speed up read/write operations for the /tmp folder. To do this, you can follow these instructions:

- Open the terminal and edit the /etc/fstab file with this command:
sudo gedit /etc/fstab
- At the end of the file, add these two lines:
# Move /tmp to RAM
tmpfs /tmp tmpfs defaults,noexec,nosuid 0 0

Save your file and exit. Restart now your system to apply the new changes.


5) Use all CPU Cores For System Startup

If your computer is equipped with a multi-core CPU, you can configure your system to use all available cores during startup by following these instructions:
sudo gedit /etc/init.d/rc
- Search now for the first instance of this line:
CONCURRENCY=none
- And replace it with this one if needed:
CONCURRENCY=makefile
Save your file and exit.

6) Disabling Visual Effects

If your computer is a bit old, you can get rid of unwanted visual effects usingCompizconfig Settings Manager. To install it under Ubuntu 12.10/12.04, run this command:
sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager
Start it now and head to the Effects section, then disable all enabled effects:


That's it.


June 15, 2013

Learn Binary Language


Hey Guys! Today I am gonna share with you a video or tut on Binary Language.It is pretty easy to learn and cool.All computer language is based in binary code. It is the back end of all computer functioning. Binary means that there is a code of either 0 or 1 for a computer to toggle between.Or simply,like binary number system uses 10 digits to deal with(0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9),our Binary number system or language deals with only 2 digits,that is,0 and 1.Every thing in binary number system is a combination of 0s and 1s.

Beware Siri Lovers!!!!!


June 11, 2013

Linux Hacks - Remove Hidden Recent File History


Ubuntu Hacks




If this is the first thing you do after installing Ubuntu.
You are maybe unaware that still anybody can access your recent viewed files very easily.
Many softwares such as Totem still shows your recent file history.

Keyloggers-An object for vast destruction!



You use internet cafe for browsing internet or doing personal stuffs?
Believe,if all your strokes were being tapped? 
What if all the data you enter was being recorded secretly?
Think,if you traced out that your PC was actually Infected with Keylogger(s),and they were constantly tracking you and your personal data down?
You thinking it is just nonsense and lousy?
Read this article and learn yourself a few safety measures.
Ever visited an internet cafe and found some black or some sorta pin?Ever wonder what it is?

How to extend your Router's signal range?

Extend your router's range!
Are you Sick of your wifi Router's signal range?Do you want to extend its range but don't want to spend money on craps?Then,We Bring you a tweak which will increase your router's s signal range with out any fuss.All you have to do is follow the instructions printed above.Just follow the instructions and damn,you just extended your Router's range!