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"Algorithm" is not a four letter word

jamisbuck.org

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Re: "Algorithm" is not a four letter word

#21
post #2

Pretty. But I would love just a long single page version of it, particularly when it gets to definitions. The page already loads all the content and assets at the start.

Try disabling Javascript, it fallbacks to a single page version; at least it does here with NoScript.

Re: "Algorithm" is not a four letter word

#22
Wonderful slides! I hope there will be video further on.

I didn't like "It is critical to remember that play is not exercise." and to improve it I would like to add something like "But it's totally fine if your exercise feels like play. If your exercise is fun it's so much easier to do".

Re: "Algorithm" is not a four letter word

#24
I feel I should point out that a lot of people would consider this bad advice.

"It is critical to remember that play is not exercise."

Focusing on what are you're good at (like algorithms for creating mazes), is in fact exercise. You're getting better at what you already consider yourself good at (assuming you don't stagnate - which I think the article is really getting at.)

Should you focus on weaknesses or strengths is a big debate, but strength finder (http://strengths.gallup.com/110440/About-StrengthsFinder-2.a...) seems like a popular camp.

Re: "Algorithm" is not a four letter word

#25
Another warning, for photosensitive epileptics: there are rapidly flashing lights in that demo. I have a mild form of it and I started to feel weird, so if you're highly sensitive, you'll want to skip running the maze on the slide labeled "aldous-broder-demo".

Here's a tip for UX people: don't make anything flash more than 2 times per second. Also, "in the United States, websites provided by federal agencies are governed by section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Act says that pages shall be designed to avoid causing the screen to flicker with a frequency greater than 2 Hz and less than 55 Hz." So that's the official recommendation.

Re: "Algorithm" is not a four letter word

#26
"Play" is boring if it isn't challenging. I completely disagree with the dichotomy presented at the start of this presentation. It seems to imply that improving is painful, and is something you need to force yourself to do.

(Furthermore, I've never found learning about new algorithms to be taxing, and certainly never regarded it as a four-letter word.)

Re: "Algorithm" is not a four letter word

#27

I feel I should point out that a lot of people would consider this bad advice. "It is critical to remember that play is not exercise." Focusing on what are you're good at (like algorithms for creating mazes), is in fact exercise. You're getting better at what you already consider yourself good at (assuming you don't stagnate - which I think the article is really getting at.) Should you focus on weaknesses or strength…

The problem is that you are arguing the analogy. What you are saying neither fits the point or spirit of his slide show.

Re: "Algorithm" is not a four letter word

#28
post #2

Pretty. But I would love just a long single page version of it, particularly when it gets to definitions. The page already loads all the content and assets at the start.

For text only, in console:

    $('body').html($('aside').map(function(x,y){return $('

'+y.innerHTML+'

')[0];}));

Re: "Algorithm" is not a four letter word

#29
I'd like to point out that on the first frame with text on it, the text runs off the screen. So i closed it. I don't even know what the slideshow was about :( firefox 7.0.1 resolution 1280x1024

no text at all in 1024x768

Re: "Algorithm" is not a four letter word

#30
post #26

"Play" is boring if it isn't challenging. I completely disagree with the dichotomy presented at the start of this presentation. It seems to imply that improving is painful, and is something you need to force yourself to do. (Furthermore, I've never found learning about new algorithms to be taxing, and certainly never regarded it as a four-letter word.)

Agreed. Children and young animals play because they learn from it. This is why evolution has programmed them to enjoy it. Play=self-improvement.
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