Category: Today’s Report

Crayon Physics Deluxe is out! Been waiting for this one for a while. It’s a great concept implemented pretty well. It’s fun to think of the simplest and also the most interesting ways to solve the levels. I’ve been getting into the “physics games” (as Ned calls them) lately. Making good progress on World of…

WKYC: Private schools, parents pinched in tough economy. I’m assuming this segment is based on this Associated Press article. As we go through the thought process of where to send Ned to high school, the economy is certainly on our minds. I wonder how many folks will pull their kids out of private schools. After…

Wired: Detroit Auto Show a Leaner, Greener Affair Sounds like it’s going to be a lot quieter this year. It will be very interesting to see what this show looks like when it’s toned down. Maybe more like Cleveland’s huge, yet typically unexciting, show? But, still, 51 new cars vs. 58 last year. That’s not…

Microsoft: Kid’s Corner. Beginner Developer Learning Center. Kids Like. “Kids Like is dedicated to bringing you the best, and most fun, educational resources for free. Our main emphasis currently is on teaching computer programming, math, and science. Information about business and innovation will be coming in the future.” Tim Bray: Water Works. This is so…

NY Times: The Plot Curdles. Is a bailout needed for the publishing industry? McSweeney’s: Elf Union Newsletter.

Joe Posnanski: ShamPow. You’ve gotta skip down close to the bottom of the post for the funny stuff. And this is just an expansion of this great post on infomercials. Here’s a quote from that one: This has to be the single greatest moment in television history; this moment when an actress is attempting to…

New Scientist: Videos of Robots in 2008. Some videos showing progress made in the field of robotics in 2008. Technology Review: The Year in Robotics 2008. Some highlights from the world of robotics. R2D2 Translator. Aliensonic. Free alien-related sounds. How does the Internet work? Some kids explain. NY Times: Fresh Start for the New Year?…

NY Times: At the Stove, a Dash of Science, a Pinch of Folklore. Which cooking practices have scientific underpinnings and which are myths? NY Times: Butter Holds The Secret. The most common mistakes made by home bakers have to do with the care and handling of butter. NY Times: Le Tour du Chocolat. Take a…

Volokh: That Explains So Much University of Minnesota: Common Writing Mistakes. Very funny (for writing geeks, at least!). This is one of the more comprehensive lists I’ve seen like this. WaPo: More and More, Schools Got Game. Another in what seems to be an unending stream of articles about how to use video games to…

Slate: The Perilous Tale of Despereaux. The author thinks there should be more parental guidance on G-rated films since even movies that don’t contain specifically objectionable material might have elements that certain kids (or parents) would like to avoid. This might have been helpful for our family when Ned was younger, although I wonder if…