Microsoft has released the latest test version of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system, which is now officially in what the company calls its "final phase" of development.  This is replaces the Consumer Preview from a few months ago.  It is essentially Microsoft's last beta before the final code is mass distributed. You can pick it up here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-8/release-preview

We only have a short time left together, and for most of you, there is a lot yet to be completed.

We will be working on Karel/Java for the next two days, followed by 3 days of MS IT Academy and OBP time.  We will repeat this pattern for the next two weeks of school, with the last 3 days being set aside for learning log interviews/  The Grade 11s are also expected to work on their robotic challenge, with a competition date set for June 13th.  I look forward to your SUMO solutions (make sure you record all your thoughts, ideas, problems, missteps, and solutions).

I am at the Board Office today attending the last Windows 7 Implementation team meeting for this year. 

You will need to accomplish the following today:

1) Solve the attached Karel problem.  This will be evaluated.  You can answer the question as an algorithm , but I would like those who feel confident enough, to try to use proper syntex.  This assignment will be evaluated, and is due first thing tomorrow.  Those who were away Monday can still complete this assignment using the 4 methods Karel understands that we discussed last week.  Unless you have access to iTunes U, you will not be able to work with the proper syntex for the program (I will review tomorrow).

2) Work on your MS IT Academy courses.  Make sure you are using the version of MS Internet Explorer that is on the image that includes Silverlight.  Headphones are in the cupboard (please return at the end of class). 

There should be NO reason for any issues during today's class. 

As we move forward in 25 different directions, I have developed the following tracking sheets (TEJ3MI and TEJ4MI) to help you stay on track as you complete all the expectations for the course.  After I am speaking about this in class, and if you still have questions, please see me for clarification.

After seeing glimpses of the videos created by this simple technology, I think this may become a OBP for me.  It's all open source, and looks relatively easy to construct.  Unfortunately, the lack of focus and dedication to the task at hand during OBP work time, makes it (a

We have a few students in the class building arcade units, so I thought this article on a really keen guy who built a replica Star Wars Machine would be inspirational.  It only took 80 hours :)

Moore’s law is already slowing down and will collapse within a decade
according to Michio Kaku, a theoretical physicist. He believes physical
limitations are already beginning to come into play.

 Kaku believes we’ll be able to stave off the decline with workaround for a
while yet, including parallel processing and even three-dimensional chips.  Ultimately he believes we’ll have to switch to completely different concepts of  computer processing, such as molecular computing (effectively using molecules to  create a valve to replicate silicon transistor switches at a smaller scale) and  even quantum computing. However, the latter option likely won’t be viable until
near the end of the century according to Kaku.

I am still ill, but have dragged myself in today, as we need to keep pushing forward.

Our course validations with IT Academy have been delayed (a glitch at Microsoft's end that is being looked into).

So..we are going to push forward with Java Programming, which both streams will be working on.  All the course information that you need will is found at the Stanford site.  We are going to work through this together, and hopefully will finish the course by the middle of June.

I would like to move forward as such: Day 1: Java, Day 2: OBP, Day 3: MS ITAcademy Courses Day 4: Perry Directed