Daisy the Dinosaur
Languages and libraries
educational programming environment
SHOW HN2011
How HN took it
4 positive, 1 neutral or asking, 0 mixed, 6 critical, out of 11 comments about the project. Thread score -0.12.
Design: 2 for, 2 againstIdea: 0 for, 2 againstExecution: 0 for, 1 againstPerformance: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Good concept and graphics
From 2 comments
Good luck, Samantha -- looks great :) Also, clickable : http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daisy-the-dinosaur/id490514278?ls=1&mt=8
lowglow on HNCongratulations for getting this out in front of people. Good luck. I'll be checking it out.
tdenkinger on HN
Objections
Lacks a clear objective or mission structure, so kids get bored
From 2 comments
I learned to program on my TI-82 calculator because I couldn't pay attention in my Engrish class. Learning to program allowed me to actually understand the math I was studying…
laironald on HNI totally agree. Programming is a hard thing to "teach" when so many of us "learn" it in order to accomplish something. As the saying goes, some things are taught, and others are…
dpcan on HN
Cutesy style may not suit older kids
From 1 comment
I totally agree. Programming is a hard thing to "teach" when so many of us "learn" it in order to accomplish something. As the saying goes, some things are taught, and others are…
dpcan on HN
Programming illusion may discourage kids when real coding is harder
From 1 comment
I always wondered how successful those apps and languages (Logo etc.) are as learning tools. It seems like a great idea - you make colorful apps, that are easy to fiddle with and…
klausa on HN
Runs slowly on first-gen iPad
From 1 comment
It runs very slow on my 1st gen iPad
rbreve on HN
Webview app instead of a website
From 1 comment
I like the concept and the graphics, but I dislike "website in a webview"-apps. Why not simply release this app as a website?
the-kenny on HN
Requests
Add mission-based structure and goals
From 2 comments
I learned to program on my TI-82 calculator because I couldn't pay attention in my Engrish class. Learning to program allowed me to actually understand the math I was studying…
laironald on HNI don't think kids will make such a big jump. :) But I agree in a point you made... you can't expect a "learning tool" to be created with just a few cute graphics. I would argue…
laironald on HN
Visual or touch-based programming instead of text
From 1 comment
I would move away from text-based programming and try a visual metaphor approach, especially on the ipad when touch/gesture are fundamentally easier for kids to learn, i.e.…
floggit on HN
Portuguese version
From 1 comment
Let me know if you want your app in Portuguese. software.pro.br
andycds on HN
Questions
Why not release as a website
From 1 comment
I like the concept and the graphics, but I dislike "website in a webview"-apps. Why not simply release this app as a website?
the-kenny on HN
Alternatives named
Logo and turtle graphics
From 1 comment
One of the most important skills a programmer needs is rigorous thinking. You can not "wish" the turtle to do something different -- and whatever it does is a direct result of…
aaronblohowiak on HN
Scratch
From 1 comment
Great news, I hope this means Apple will allow MIT's Scratch into the App Store soon. http://computinged.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/apple-removes-scratch-from-ipadiphoneitouch/
base2john on HN
Small BASIC
From 1 comment
As recently as 2011, Microsoft launched Small BASIC, although that might be more aimed at kids. But anyway it's entry level, that's for sure. http://smallbasic.com
BdR76 on HN
Toontastic
From 1 comment
I would move away from text-based programming and try a visual metaphor approach, especially on the ipad when touch/gesture are fundamentally easier for kids to learn, i.e.…
floggit on HN
Island of Dr. Brain
From 1 comment
Agreed that having a mission or goal is important. What comes to mind for me is a game called the Island of Dr. Brain that I played as a kid. There was a section in the game…
missrobot on HN