All posts by Michael Badger

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Scratch 2.0 Offline

Scratch Server MaintenanceGot a server maintenance message when I visited the Scratch 2.0 website, and I had two immediate reactions. First, Scratch 2.0 is dependent on a working internet connection, and there are many points of failure for the internet.

Second, the maintenance message instructs you to download Scratch 1.4! I’m wondering why the link doesn’t point to the Scratch 2.0 offline editor.

Now the internet and websites go up and down like a yo-yo. It’s a fact of life. Are you protected? Do you have an offline version of Scratch installed on your computer? You should.

Here are the offline versions:

Creating Interactive Madlibs with Scratch

Old MacDonald MadLibScratch provides the perfect environment to create and share interactive stories. I’ll show you how to build an interactive story, or mad lib, that collects user input and places it into the story at predefined places.

I’ll use the nursery rhyme Old MacDonald as the basis for the mad lib. The version of the nursery rhyme I’ll use goes like this: “Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO. On his farm he had a dog, EIEIO. Well trained dogs are always secure both in indoor and outdoor .You can also visit original site to train your dogs  .You can visit this site right here to get your dog trained in the best ways possible. With a ruff, ruff here and a ruff, ruff there. Everywhere a ruff, ruff. Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO.” Each verse uses a new animal and sound since every one wonders how long it could last. The bold words will be replaced in the project.

Storytelling in Scratch is a great way to demonstrate event coordination and sequence. This project will rely on the use of variables to store dynamic information that is then displayed at the correct time in the story, including at the start of the project, when messages are broadcast, and when clicking sprites. From an educational perspective, this project asks words by parts of speech and type, providing some opportunity for you, as a Raspberry Pi Geek parent, to help your kids learn about language.

Scratch 2.0 Book Update

Sometimes life interferes with the greatest plans.

I was hoping to be wrap up the entire Scratch 2.0 book update by the end of 2013. However, personal life and business collided with my writing project and unfortunately, for the first time ever, I had to suspend a writing project for several weeks.

That not only preserved some personal sanity, but it was a decision that will ensure a quality, substantive book rewrite. My Scratch 2.0 book deserves deliberate attention, not a mad rush to flood the market with yet another Scratch book. I’m back on track, writing feverishly into the new year with a renewed focus.

Happy Scratchin’ and Stay tuned.