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5 Things I Found on the Internet This Week

1.  Do you want to code a snowflake?

Disney Interactive and Code.org has teamed up to inspire future computer programmers — especially girls — to learn some basic coding skills in a fun, visual way. Head on over to the Frozen Hour of Code to help Anna and Elsa create shapes and patterns on ice using simplified blocks of code that snap together.

No prior coding experience is necessary, because you start off by drawing simple lines, with short video tutorials between each subject. (Pop quiz: which “dinosaur” makes an appearance to explain functions? 😉 ) But you’ll soon be creating shapes like this:

frozen_hour_of_code

To appeal to the social-media loving crowd, the game even lets you share your creations with your friends. Each generated URL leads the visitor to a unique page where people can see your code in action. (See an example here.)

frozen_hour_of_code_social_media

Give it a try! I’m sure any Frozen-loving child — heck, adults too! — interested in computers would love the tutorial.

Via Mashable.

2.  The competitive rankings of Super Smash Bros characters over time

Head on over to The Unbalanced Design of Super Smash Brothers, written by Forrest Smith, to read and pore over various data, charts, and research dissecting the game and its characters, how the game has changed over time, and how the players’ perception of balance has shifted through the years.

In other words, some very nerdy stuff.  :mrgreen: 

smash_bros_rankings_chart

Via Reddit.

Power Dynamics Via Angles [Silence of the Lambs Edition]

I'm really enjoying the Every Frame a Painting series from Tony Zhou! Last week, I shared with you his analysis of David Fincher's brilliant directorial techniques. Today, I bring you a similar video that dissects a famous scene from Silence of the Lambs. This one's less than 3 minutes long, so take a look if you didn't watch the David Fincher one. Once again, I'm blown away by how something seemingly-simple as camera angles can play such a crucial role. It's almost as if camera angles can act as narrators, or even convey subliminal messages! Now I'm tempted to rewatch all my favorite movies to examine what I've missed...

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“Photoshop” in the 1930s

Close your eyes. Now, imagine your favorite vintage portrait. Is it of Jean Harlow? Audrey Hepburn? Vivien Leigh? Marilyn Monroe? No matter who, there's a very good chance that the famous portrait engrained so deeply in your mind was "photoshopped." Not in the modern sense, but by using film photography techniques from bygone decades. When the above before-and-after was posted to Reddit, experts and enthusiasts readily chimed in with stories, explanations, and history lessons. For example, the most upvoted response divulged: I have worked at a commercial studio since the mid 90's. We were still doing some of these things then. I remember working in the darkroom and dodging/burning prints, masking...

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Translated TV Show Titles

For today's edition of "interesting stuff I found on the web," cartoonist James Chapman shares with us an illustrated guide to what popular TV shows are called around the world. I think I'd much rather watch a show called "In the Shoes of Satan" than plain ol' "Breaking Bad," wouldn't you? Or how about "A Crazy in the Area?" Be sure to check back next week, because Chapman will reveal part 2 of this series! Via Neatorama....

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J.J. Abrams Personally Solves Kid’s Algebra Problem

Last week, a (rightfully) proud father's Facebook post went viral as he shared his 8th grade son's homework. The assignment? To create an algebraic expression into a word problem. And his son Cody's answer (with no help from his parents)? In case you're having trouble reading the above, it says: J.J. Abrams is making Star Wars Episode 7. He rented three speeder bikes which was 700 imperial credits to start. He must pay 100 imperial credits to keep his speeder bikes daily. If he does not pay daily, Prince Xizor and other Black Sun members will kidnap J.J. Abrams, bring him to Mustafar, and sacrifice him. J.J. Abrams is also paying 5 bounty hunters to keep separatist spies out. That costs 200 imperial credits...

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