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My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

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11–20 of 118 posts

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#11

Am I really the only one who things that she is annoying and fake? I literally threw up when I tried to watch her playing Manic Pixie Dream Girl-role. Ruby and Snow Leopard? Really? This book will be completely useless in 5 years when technologies change. She should have wrote about basic CS principles instead. But I guess most of the women just cannot think logically. And that's probably why there are so few women i…

You are certainly entitled to your opinion on her being annoying and fake, but your last statements are just un-called for. Women cannot think logically? Obviously she though logically enough to create an idea that struck a chord with enough people to raise over 250K? Hacker News shouldn't be the place for such blatant misogyny.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#12

Am I really the only one who things that she is annoying and fake? I literally threw up when I tried to watch her playing Manic Pixie Dream Girl-role. Ruby and Snow Leopard? Really? This book will be completely useless in 5 years when technologies change. She should have wrote about basic CS principles instead. But I guess most of the women just cannot think logically. And that's probably why there are so few women i…

This is a sad grouch, not a coherent analysis. Most Tech books are obsolete in 5 years. Children do not learn from principles, they learn from example and mimesis and play and repetition. You have much to learn about human beings, and until you learn to lighten up and be constructive in the world, you will remain grouchy, unhappy and unfulfilled.

So, I suggest a more constructive response for you if you think she's wrong and don't like her style: have a look around: what can you do to make things better?

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#13

Am I really the only one who things that she is annoying and fake? I literally threw up when I tried to watch her playing Manic Pixie Dream Girl-role. Ruby and Snow Leopard? Really? This book will be completely useless in 5 years when technologies change. She should have wrote about basic CS principles instead. But I guess most of the women just cannot think logically. And that's probably why there are so few women i…

Just move on - change the channel, not for you troll. And your remarks towards women not thinking logically is embarrassing to see in this forum.

A lot of what we learn today in technology specifics changes frequently - it's the thought process behind our execution and methodologies to build that is the most valuable.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#14
I backed the project, and think it will make a great gift for my nephew. It's something he can grow into, where he can read the book part with his parents right now, and then start doing the problems as he gets older.

I think this project did well for a few key reasons:

1) STEM, STEM, STEM and code, code, code. The timing is right. Look at all the coverage this got in big mainstream media publications. Here is a project to help your child get into programming at a young age. 2) There is a need for introducing programming to children in an accessible way. There is some stuff on the market, but not that much, and this might be the first centered around a colorful children's book. I also think this is more approachable for parents too. A cold, clinical textbook would scare off many parents. 3) Linda is attractive, bubbly and non-American (on a heavily American site). This never hurts with crowdfunding. The fact that she is female in a heavy male-dominated space helps too. I can't fault her at all for this, and why not harness it?

I hope it turns out well and that this is just the beginning for Linda and her books. I'm excited to read it with my future child.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#16
I've been watching this project since it was first posted on HN, getting giddy over the thought of it. I love the execution in how this book will teach kids about programming. I also love that the main character is a girl and that the whole book is cutesy.

I plan on using this both for my own enjoyment, and sharing it with a soon-to-be five year old boy who will be absolutely in love with the little animal/Android characters.

I'm toward the end of a rough patch financially, and usually pass up supporting projects on Kickstarter for this reason... But I couldn't resist, and ordered the double package.

Congratulations on the extreme success, Linda! I hope you find the process enjoyable enough to continue the series for years to come. I also hope the app or even a little indie game will be possible to create in the future (I realize it won't reach the $500k goal.)

As a final note - I just thought of the possibilities of this being implemented in a classroom!

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#17

Am I really the only one who things that she is annoying and fake? I literally threw up when I tried to watch her playing Manic Pixie Dream Girl-role. Ruby and Snow Leopard? Really? This book will be completely useless in 5 years when technologies change. She should have wrote about basic CS principles instead. But I guess most of the women just cannot think logically. And that's probably why there are so few women i…

You are the reason there are so few women in tech...

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#18
I'm pretty sure the only reason this is getting so much funding is because the majority of computer science folk are horny men who are glossing over the dreamhouse attire / makeup / presentation put on in the video. "Hi I'm little Ruby and I wear polka-dots and pink lipstick, let me be your fantasy" That said, I did fund it, because I'm a horny coder and Linda is very sexy.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#19

I'm pretty sure the only reason this is getting so much funding is because the majority of computer science folk are horny men who are glossing over the dreamhouse attire / makeup / presentation put on in the video. "Hi I'm little Ruby and I wear polka-dots and pink lipstick, let me be your fantasy" That said, I did fund it, because I'm a horny coder and Linda is very sexy.

I think you're downplaying the fact that many people still view computer science with mystery, fear, and antagonism. Improving pointlessly negative cultural attitudes from a young age is a worthwhile venture, and I wish someone would do it with mathematics as well.

Re: My children’s book on technology raised 100k within 24 hours – here’s how

#20
post #7

> Start a blog where you share progress on your project. This will hold you accountable and let people know what you’re working on. For a long time I wrote off the idea of having a blog because it seemed vain. I don't usually have any great ideas that anyone else needs to know about, and my trials of learning new things are just the same as everyone else's. However, over the past few months I've realized that I was d…

How do you think the chronological, little-bit-at-a-time blog format compares to longer articles, or books?

I've found individual blog posts, linked to from sites like HN or found in web searches, to be greatly helpful, but often when I go to a blog like one of those that you shared here, and try to start reading it from the top, it feels disorganized; the content isn't presented in any ordering that necessarily makes good pedagogical sense.

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