For Halloween, here is something a bit different. A website that generated a single page RPG Dungeon every time you update it.

For Halloween, here is something a bit different. A website that generated a single page RPG Dungeon every time you update it.

Shades of the old “Rogue” game dungeon, but designed to be actually playable with a DM and real players.

https://boingboing.net/2019/10/28/this-website-generates-a-new-r.html

Direct link: https://watabou.itch.io/one-page-dungeon

Your App can’t be successful of the App Store is continuously removing it.

Your App can’t be successful if the App Store is continuously removing it.

App Developer Magazine interview of Ben Wald, who explains how not to have this happen.

https://appdevelopermagazine.com/best-practices-to-avoid-being-removed-from-the-apple-app-store/

Joe Hanson of App Developer Mag provides 5 tips for a better mobile app.

Joe Hanson of App Developer Mag provides 5 tips for a better mobile app.

Of course, most people ignore tips, until they are burned by something themselves, but one can only try to advise…

https://appdevelopermagazine.com/5-app-development-tips-to-help-you-avoid-disaster/

Digital Overload occurs for all users, and Notifications may be one of the worst offenders.

Digital Overload occurs for all users, and Notifications may be one of the worst offenders.

Michael J. Fordham points out how your users would appreciate better notifications. And like your software more!

https://uxdesign.cc/should-our-notifications-be-more-peaceful-aed3fa9d884a

With the issues of privacy, Cryptographic operations have become vital for well-behaved app

With the issues of privacy, Cryptographic operations have become vital for well-behaved app

Andy Ibanez provides an intro to cryptology and new’s Apple CyproKit. It is surprisingly easy to work with.

https://www.andyibanez.com/posts/common-cryptographic-operations-with-cryptokit/

You can see the trends by looking at what Jobs are being posted.

You can see the trends by looking at what job are being posted.

I found it interesting that SQL is #1.

https://insights.dice.com/2019/10/14/7-programming-languages-employers-want/

An Apple Watch correctly determined its owner fell off a cliff and called 911 for him.

An Apple Watch correctly determined its owner fell off a cliff and called 911 for him.

We have had med-alert type of life-saving equipment, but this is a more general-purpose device that saved a man's life. This may be the future.

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/an-apple-watch-may-have-just-saved-this-mans-life

In case you missed numerous articles, Google announces a “Quantum Supremacy” based computer.

In case you missed numerous articles, Google announces a “Quantum Supremacy” based computer.

Opponents point out the problem it solves was not as intense as claimed, but rightly Google says this is the first step.

Thanks to Sunny for pointing this event out to me ahead of the news curve!

https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/tech/google-quantum-supremacy-scn/index.html

Time article: https://time.com/5708327/google-quantum-supremacy-explainer/

On Nov 12th, I will be giving a lecture on Laser Engraving glass at NovaLabs.

On Nov 12th, I will be giving a lecture on Laser Engraving glass at NovaLabs. 

The class will include a hands-on portion where you can create custom shot glasses or glass coasters. The class will have a fee, and materials will be available at cost. See the link for more details.

They make great holiday presents!

https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/265864418/

Mark Spurrell’s excellent video review of the Oculus Quest after owning it for 3 months.

Mark Spurrell’s excellent video review of the Oculus Quest after owning it for 3 months.

He points out how the negative issues, but overwhelmingly talks about its advantages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8-j1dUs58o

A BBC article on Hypercard, Bill Atkinson’s “erector set for building applications".

A BBC article on Hypercard, Bill Atkinson’s “erector set for building applications".

I would not go as far as to say Hypercard inspired the Internet, but it was the 1st to present Hyperlinking to the masses.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190722-the-apple-software-that-inspired-the-internet

my History of Tea talk at NovaLabs

On Dec 10th, I will be giving my History of Tea talk at NovaLabs. I taught this several times for SCA and other venues, but it has been a few years.  The class has a small fee to cover the tea samples for everyone. If you like history or like tea, come join us! 

https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/265828743/

NSSpain, the largest Apple event in Spain, is over, and they have posted the videos from it!

NSSpain, the largest Apple event in Spain, is over, and they have posted the videos from it!

Nearly a dozen different about Swift, Objective-C, Cocoa, iOS & Mac development. And yes, they are all in English.

https://vimeo.com/nsspain

“Video Game Archaeologists” are tasked with unearthing long-forgotten pieces of software and pulling them apart.

“Video Game Archaeologists” are tasked with unearthing long-forgotten pieces of software and pulling them apart.

In this case, the 1982 Entombed game for the Atari has its fair share of mysteries. Was the programmer drunk when he wrote it? Possibly…

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190919-the-maze-puzzle-hidden-within-an-early-video-game

An academic paper examining this software: (pdf) https://arxiv.org/pdf/1811.02035.pdf

In 1987, someone snuck an Apple ][ into Moscow to run the Lenin Museum media presentation. And it is still there!

In 1987, someone snuck an Apple ][ into Moscow to run the Lenin Museum media presentation. And it is still there!

Part of a multimedia system designed by Electrosonic, it was technically illegal to import Apple products at that time.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/retro-apple-computers-lenin-museum-russia

Use Your Loaf explores two new features of the latest version of Swift

Use Your Loaf explores two new features of the latest version of Swift

The two tips, Implicit returns & Default values for memberwise initializer, are all about making it easier to write, and read, Swift.

https://useyourloaf.com/blog/swift-5.1-two-quick-tips/

RoboRaid is only available on Hololens, but it shows how interactive mixed reality gaming should work.

RoboRaid is only available on Hololens, but it shows how interactive mixed reality gaming should work.

I love how it identifies walls and surfaces, and uses them within the game play. Yes, the video is a bit old, but no one has done better!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf9qkURqtbM

I have been creating paper mockup of UI design for software for years, but using cardboard boxes for VR UI is new one for me.

I have been creating paper mockup of UI design for software for years, but using cardboard boxes for VR UI is new one for me.

“Schell Games' Shawn Patton has a remarkably low-fi way to develop VR games: build your environments in reality with arts and crafts, known as brownboxing”.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/359983/the-secret-to-vr-development-cardboard-box-forts

Sam Borick wanted to move ahead with his career at a Senior Software Developer, so he did is research.

Sam Borick wanted to move ahead with his career at a Senior Software Developer, so he did is research.

He is sharing the results, organizing and breaking down the thoughts of other articles on this topic. 

https://dev.to/mibzman/i-read-21-articles-about-how-to-become-a-senior-developer-so-you-don-t-have-to-4dap

Ming-chi Kuo of TF International Securities predicts Apple’s AR headset appearing as soon as the 4th quarter of 2019 or early 2020.

Ming-chi Kuo of TF International Securities predicts Apple’s AR headset appearing as soon as the 4th quarter of 2019 or early 2020.

The technically interesting tidbit is that the AR Glasses would require an iPhone, presumably using the phone as the CPU & GPU. This would keep the cost down.

https://www.cnet.com/news/apples-ar-headset-might-be-a-sidekick-for-your-iphone/

Shai Mishali goes over comparison, and migrations, between Combine and RxSwift.

Shai Mishali goes over comparison, and migrations, between Combine and RxSwift.

Apple’s declarative programming tech may be new for some, but others have been using RxSwift for awhile. This reference help! 

https://medium.com/gett-engineering/rxswift-to-apples-combine-cheat-sheet-e9ce32b14c5b

Direct link to Cheat Sheet repository: https://github.com/freak4pc/rxswift-to-combine-cheatsheet

Touchscreens are not perfect for every task, as the US Navy shows.

Touchscreens are not perfect for every task, as the US Navy shows.

“The fleet overwhelmingly said they prefer mechanical controls to touchscreen systems…” I always wondered about this type of tech under battle conditions.

https://news.usni.org/2019/08/09/navy-reverting-ddgs-back-to-physical-throttles-after-fleet-rejects-touchscreen-controls

If you want some music in your program, Bradley Nice of ClickHelp references some internet resources you will find useful

If you want some music in your program, Bradley Nice of ClickHelp references some internet resources you will find useful.

She has two other articles on Background Music for Coding, that you might also like.

https://medium.com/@bradley_nice/music-for-programming-2019-edition-6376e90dcebc

Background Music for Coding: https://medium.com/level-up-web/youtube-background-music-for-coding-99b592a74dc8

Background Music For Coding & Studying: https://medium.com/level-up-web/background-music-for-coding-studying-57d1104864ee

Addendum to announcement regarding Void's VR experience

Addendum to the announcement regarding Void's VR experience "Marvel Studio's Avengers: Damage Control". They posted the Story trailer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWi-Qtw5RBU

Roborace is creating self-driving race cars, and recently Robocar became the world’s fastest autonomous car.

Roborace is creating self-driving race cars, and recently Robocar became the world’s fastest autonomous car.

Imagine a car created without any need for passenger. Just like a flying drone, it would be lighter and quicker, since it has no need for seats or other items.

https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/roborace-robocar-speed-record-2868060/

Video of Tom Scott taking ride in passenger version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39nNXdBFQhA

Facebook is preparing to encrypt all messages, but Homeland security is requesting they don’t.

Facebook is preparing to encrypt all messages, but Homeland security is requesting they don’t.

Personal privacy vs Law enforcement ability to investigate. This won’t be the last time this is debated, just usually not so publicly.

https://www.popsci.com/facebook-messages-privacy-encryption/

InstaVR talks about the most important announcements from Oculus Connect 6 (OC6) conference.

InstaVR talks about the most important announcements from Oculus Connect 6 (OC6) conference.

While Hand Tracking & running Go apps are important, I was surprised by the idea of a Quest using the graphic power of linked PC.

https://www.instavr.co/articles/general/biggest-announcements-at-oculus-connect-6-oc6-for-instavr-clients

Sometimes experienced programmers forget simple CS questions, and only see them on Interviews.

Sometimes experienced programmers forget simple CS questions, and only see them on Interviews.

Even if you aren’t asked these 20 questions, you probably should know the answers.

https://dev.to/javinpaul/20-basic-algorithms-problems-from-coding-interviews-4o76

BBEdit, Grandfather of Mac Text Editor, has a new update.

BBEdit, Grandfather of Mac Text Editor, has a new update.

Bare Bones Software’s BBEdit is designed for software & web developers, and has been around since 1998, with consistent upgrades.

https://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/bbedit13.html

Swift Expert Paul Hudson is challenging people to join him in exploring SwiftUI in 100 days.

Swift Expert Paul Hudson is challenging people to join him in exploring SwiftUI in 100 days.

Paul’s free tutorials and video designed to help you learn SwiftUI (and Swift in general) effectively.

https://www.hackingwithswift.com/100/swiftui

Void VR locations will team up with Marvel Studios & ILMxLab to release a Marvel Cinematic Universe VR Experience.

Void VR locations will team up with Marvel Studios & ILMxLab to release a Marvel Cinematic Universe VR Experience.

Premiering at Downtown Disney World first, “Avengers: Damage Control” recruits a team of volunteers to wear Iron Man-like suits to expose the MCU.

https://www.ocregister.com/2019/10/03/avengers-damage-control-lets-aspiring-superheroes-fight-in-a-virtual-reality-battle-at-downtown-disney/

Ps. Here is a new teaser video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwxzK8ipVkg

Pss. I hope it premiers at the soon to open Void location in NoVA!

October’s DCVR Meetup will journey into Immersive AR/VR Experiences on Oct 15, at NovaLab.

October’s DCVR Meetup will journey into Immersive AR/VR Experiences on Oct 15, at NovaLab.

Jordan Higgins of U.Group, who will explain how AI, IoT, and Data are Driving Next-Gen Immersive AR/VR Experiences.

https://www.meetup.com/DCimmersive/events/265305351/

The most famous piece of serving ware in the world (at least for Computer Scientist), I give you the Utah teapot

The most famous piece of serving ware in the world (at least for Computer Scientist), I give you the Utah teapot.

Back in the 80s, we actually called it the “Teapotahedron”, a slight pun as it was considered on par of a Platonic solid in CGI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIxt9guMbXo

Wiki info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_teapot

You want a robot dog? One that can actually help you? Boston Dynamics is now finally selling the ground breaking Spot.

You want a robot dog? One that can actually help you? Boston Dynamics is now finally selling the ground breaking Spot.

Absolutely amazing 4 legged abilities combined with compute sigh has created something revolutionary.

https://www.bostondynamics.com/spot

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlkCQXHEgjA