Re: paws microtype ?

[aiiadict@gmail.com]

On Tuesday, July 24, 2012 10:55:53 AM UTC-7, Steve Nickolas wrote:
> On Tue, 24 Jul 2012, Rich wrote:
> 
> > I learned to type with this program in third grade...
> 
> I used it too, to learn to *properly* type XD...
> 
> ...though I type a lot more loosely than I learned, as I don't keep my 
> hands on a fixed "home row" (and usually only keep 6 fingers on the 
> keyboard).
> 
> -uso.

I was one of two kids that could type 80+ wpm.  I guess being antisocial made me want to get carpal tunnel.  When the teacher wasn't looking I would type 80wpm for someone taking a test...  Then stall at the end of the test before I pressed return.  I could "simulate" the 20wpm required to pass the test, and the person taking the test didn't even know how to type :-)  I can type 120wpm today, although it hurts like hell.  I've learned how to use the top number row since, programming BASIC and assembly language.  I never got into the number pad..  I've never worked at McDonalds.  Learning to touch type in 3rd grade made for interesting later school experiences.  First day in high-school typing class I passed EVERY typing test required for the entire year.  I didn't know what an emulator was, and they probably didn't exist for the apple II yet, otherwise I would have spent the time programming instead of being bored and cheating other students tests for them.  Oh yeah, the hall pass to use the bathroom for HS typing class was an apple II super serial card :-)


3rd grade, I remember using Logo, Microtype, and some sort of "play construction set", where you could design your own play (add characters, make them move, make them talk out of cartoon bubbles).

We would go into class, the teacher had her Apple II set up on a rolling cart.  She would show us how to use the program.  Then she would pass out disks, and we each had to boot our own machine.  The only other apple II programs I remember from back then was number munchers...

I'm glad for some of the brainwashing I received at the public institutions.  It sparked my interest in beige colored boxes with switches attached.  I began to seek out computer programming books in the library, where I learned a bunch about BASIC.  I always wanted to learn how to do graphics besides PLOT and HPLOT, xdraw, but they were too slow.   I got a machine language programming book (Don and Kurt Inman I think) and started programming mario brothers on the text screen.  My basic prototype was too slow.  My 6502 code was WAY too fast.  All it allowed you to do was jump around the screen, run on platforms.  You moved so fast you couldn't see your character.  Updating character position faster than the video would refresh..

Jump to 2012.  Now we have good reference books available.  6502 and apple II specific source code is everywhere.  I can program the HGR screen... yippee!!

I think I'll upgrade my Mario Bros. BASIC game  to assembly language next, just for fun.  And because of Paws Microtype and the apple II, I can do it quickly (just to bring it back on topic)

Rich