Explanation of Methods?

[bclamore]

Hi all,

It would be of great value if we could have detailed explanations of typical methods. I.e., what they do. Does anyone know if this exists somewhere?

Thank you.

[x2495iiii]

Exactly what do you mean by "typical methods?" You mean the built in ones or the tiles at the bottom of the screen (and in the methods tab)?

[lanceA]

I am unaware of a 'free site' for obtaining a description of all Alice primitive methods and functions. However, I know of two books which provide this information.

Joel Adams devotes an Appendix in his book, 'Alice in Action with Java' which describes each primitive method and function.

Also, Tony Gaddis' book, 'Starting Out with Alice' contains information on the standard methods and functions.

Good luck,

[x2495iiii]

Yeah that's lanceA for you. He's got all the professional books and software that even sort of relate to Alice (I seem to remember him saying he was able to order CamStudio, serious stuff there).

I actually meant to ask you how that new book was. Is it helpful at all?

Anyway, if you can't get the books yourself, just explain to me what you mean by "primitive methods" and I'll be happy to help.

[martina-r]

Hello,

I think, this source would be very helpful:
http://www.dickbaldwin.com/tocalice.htm

Very voluminous, I didn't go through the whole text. You'll surely find explanations for all "standard" methods (f.e. world-level methods and class-level methods).

I don't yet know the mentioned books, ordered already "Learning to Program with Alice" by Wanda Dann, Stephen Cooper and Randy Pausch, waiting for delivery :)

Greetings

Martina

[lanceA]

Yeah that's lanceA for you. He's got all the professional books and software that even sort of relate to Alice (I seem to remember him saying he was able to order CamStudio, serious stuff there).

I actually meant to ask you how that new book was. Is it helpful at all?

Anyway, if you can't get the books yourself, just explain to me what you mean by "primitive methods" and I'll be happy to help.

Friend, if you have a problem with me use your SUPER-POWERS to do something about it. In the mean time do what a 'Moderator' does, and moderate. But kindly stop the 'snide' remarks......such as...
11-22-2009 10:59 PM
x2495iiii (http://www.alice.org/community/member.php?u=4217)

Oh. No, because then chris101b, DickBaldwin, lanceA (shudder), and especially DrJim (over 1000 posts! Wow!) would be moderators. No, I became a moderator because I've dedicated so much time to helping nearly everyone on the Alice forums and providing models, examples, and games for you all to enjoy.

[x2495iiii]

Actually that last post wasn't intended to be snide at all. I truly saw you as an authority figure in that field, someone to learn from in the event that those resources are unavailable to you. My question: "Is it helpful at all?" was sincere. Is it helpful? It sounded interesting, but I haven't read it, so I don't know.

Granted, that comment was unprofessional, but you're the one who never responded to my explanation of my actions as a moderator, instead choosing to:

-Defend an inactive user
-Misinterperet the words "close" and "thread"
-Accuse me of abusing my "super powers" (again, if I wanted to abuse my power, I'd just ban you and delete all your posts. I won't do that, though, because it'd prove you right)
-Ignore my response which tried (very politely, I might add) to explain my actions and clear up your misinterperetations
-Misinterperet yet ANOTHER of my statements, an intended compliment, turning it into an insult
and
-Focus on a personal comment of mine (which wasn't even a public post, unlike both of yours)

Which one of us has the problem again?

[x2495iiii]

So, how much does anyone want to bet that he won't respond to this one either, and instead just visit every now and then until I say something else he can misinterperet?

[lanceA]

So, how much does anyone want to bet that he won't respond to this one either, and instead just visit every now and then until I say something else he can misinterperet?

There comes a time Friend to let it drop. I am interested in teaching people programming skills - NOT how to increase their kill count!

You obviously missed this post, scroll down:
http://www.alice.org/community/showthread.php?p=11834&highlight=ajax#post11834

I have now 'dropped it'

[x2495iiii]

And you missed this one, Friend-o.

http://www.alice.org/community/showthread.php?t=3278

and this one

http://www.alice.org/community/showthread.php?p=12057

AND this one

http://www.alice.org/community/showthread.php?t=3143

and, oh, about 700 or so others. I don't know if you've noticed, but I've probably answered more questions than anyone else on these forums (besides, of course, DrJim).

Point is, we're both here to help, so how about we go back to doing just that, eh?

[lanceA]

You have obviously missed the message.

That Alice program showed people how to resolve conflicts WITHOUT resorting to violence. Do we really need to kill people, animals or things?

Think about it!

This thread isn't over.

[lanceA]

Have you simply told them how to do it, or have you helped them learn how to program code? Think about it.

[x2495iiii]

Ah. Now that's something I didn't expect! Alright, now I'll admit, that was a misinterpretation on MY part. Apologies, I thought you were trying to say that my posts are unhelpful. You're worried that I'm too focused on violence. Actually, I was also initially worried that I may have been going against Mr. Pausch's wishes by uploading a collection of weapons, but I asked gabe about it and he said not to worry about it, that the reason the weapons of Alice were restricted was to encourage creative alternatives to violence, like your high fives comment here, (http://www.alice.org/community/showthread.php?t=827) but that it wasn't a bad idea to upload a whole collection of them, since it does encourage extra experimentation with coding in Alice.

To answer your first question, no violence isn't always necessary, but I never said it was. Some of my posts have been about games or game concepts which involve violence, but many have not. For example, two of my Video Game Concept (http://www.alice.org/community/search.php?searchid=5958998) example posts have been about gravity, and the other two are related to violence, but can easily have non-violent applications as well. This also answers your second question, if I help them learn to code or if I just tell them how to do it, as these examples are clearly examples of the former.

It seems you have a high preference for nonviolence in Alice. I don't disagree with your preference, in fact one of my latest projects is a completely nonviolent adventure game which involves solving puzzles and answering riddles, however I do enjoy shooter games as well and understand that many other people enjoy them. That's why I made Resident Penguin and the weapons collection. I'd just learned how to import models into Alice and wanted to share that information, and its possibilities, to the largest number of people possible, and weapons seemed to be the most-asked-for object on the forums.

[martina-r]

Hello,

I found explanations for "all" basic methods:
http://www.dickbaldwin.com/alice/Alice0900.htm

I hope, this will help you.

Greetings
Martina

[bclamore]

So, um, yeah. I guess I'll just go away now.

Thanks for the help.

[x2495iiii]

Ha! That's great! Sorry we scared you away, man, just got a bit carried away.

Or a lot carried away. Whatever.

[jediaction]

I just read all the comments on this page. WHAT is going on!? This is crazy and i cant even answer because im confused

[x2495iiii]

Meh, just a difference of opinion about what should be used to help kids learn to program.

I say if it interests them and it isn't illegal, inappropriate, or igloo, then let 'em do it.

[jediaction]

meh