MarkDeniseIsaacBlog

Games: 20 Best HTML5 Games

2012-01-31T08:14:00.000-08:00

First, there is an important difference between HTML5 and Flash. HTML5 is a new web protocol which runs natively on your computer inside of modern web browsers. Flash on the other hand is owned by Adobe (used to be Macromedia) and needs to be installed on your machine in addition to the web browser. From a developer's perspective the promise of HTML5 is appealing because the user doesn't need any other software other than their browser to run the application.

With that in mind, here is a list of 20 HTML5 games compiled by ".net magazine". You need a new version of a browser to run them (some only work on chrome), because HTML5 is still evolving as a web protocol.

Space: Politics And The Moon

2012-01-26T05:43:00.000-08:00

In a highly politicized speech on the "Space Coast" yesterday, Newt Gingrich announced his childhood fantasies about colonizing the Moon should be public policy.

However, as "It's Okay To Be Smart" points out, Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is considered the best colonization target.

Music: Multi-Track In The Shower

2012-01-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

Matt Mulholland recording "Chicken For My Love" doo-wap using the best acoustic setting in the house.

Cake: Life Size Stormtrooper Cake

2012-01-24T06:20:00.000-08:00

This 6′4″ tall edible Stormtrooper was made by Oak Leaf Cakes for the Arisia Science Fiction Convention in Boston. via The Official Star Wars Blog

Games: Together Alone

2012-01-20T08:54:00.001-08:00

A new game for the testers from Woot. Have a fun weekend.

Music: The President Sings

2012-01-20T06:26:00.001-08:00

The President sings a few lines of Reverend Al Green's "Let's Stay Together."

Music: 5 Artists 1 Guitar

2012-01-13T08:11:00.000-08:00

Incredible cover song. Via Coverville. They comment, "Make them rich and successful so they can afford additional instruments."

Music: Guitar Practice

2012-01-13T05:45:00.000-08:00

While I continue to encourage Isaac to push learning more classical guitar songs. I must admit, it is pretty cool to hear him play Aerosmith's "Dream On" on the electric guitar with the amp cranked up loud.

Although this picture from my phone is dimly lit, I like the torn blue jeans and bare feet look. Thanks to Fireman Mike for the old amp, it's still rocking.

Science: Page Turner

2012-01-11T06:06:00.000-08:00

Kids, if you don't know what a Rube Goldberg machine is, check it out.
A long way around to turn a page. From "It's OK To Be Smart" blog, check this one out also.

Music: Marching Band Raging Against The Machine

2012-01-09T06:34:00.000-08:00

Pretty good cover of the original. Marching band mosh-pit.

Here's the original. Didn't listen to the entire thing for raging lyrics; however, they seem to express their dissatisfaction with the machine without swearing during first several minutes. Apparently a difficult thing to do in this crowd.

Math: Proof Of Pythogorean Theorm

2012-01-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

Animated GIF which demonstrates proof of Pythagorean Theorm.

Jobs: Best Graduate Assistant Job Ever?

2011-12-30T05:33:00.000-08:00

Posting for Stephen Hawking's graduate assistant. The qualifications are steep, but especially love the "maintenance of 'black box' systems with non instruction manual or technical support."

The original purpose of this position was "to aid Professor Hawking in those areas which he has difficulty due to his disability." The job has since expanded and now includes:

Managing national and international travel for Prof. Hawking and his care team.
Expect to spend around 3 months per year abroad!
Development and maintenance of Professor Hawking's communication and speech systems
Procurement and maintenance of his wheelchairs and accessible van
Preparation of lecture graphics and public speaking
Dealing with the media and press
Answering inquiries from the public and maintaining the website

The post requires a wide range of skills, most importantly:

Ability to work under pressure
Maintenance of "black box" systems with no instruction manual or technical support
Computer literacy
Electronics knowledge
Ability to speak to a large audience
Ability to show others how to use complex systems

Hughen Family Vacation 2011

2011-12-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

Mom H & Mom V -

It is always awesome spending quality time together and trying something new!
We are having a great time enjoying the snow, the beautiful sites, and each other.

We love you and will check in soon!

Birthday: Happy Birthday Christian

2011-12-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

Hope you're having a fantastic day on your birthday Christian. Try this flash Star Wars game when you get a chance (it's pretty big and may take a second to load).

Christmas: Sugar Plum Fairy Duel

2011-12-14T05:32:00.000-08:00

Torn between the best version of Sugar Plum Fairy.

Tesla Coil

or Glass Harp

NASA: Dawn Spacecraft Orbits Vesta

2011-12-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

NASA's Dawn spacecraft has been orbiting Vesta, the 2nd largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, since July. Today, they maneuvered to a lower orbit averaging 210 kilometers.

There are some awesome pictures and even some 3D videos on NASA's site.

Word Of The Day: Naches

2011-12-13T05:45:00.000-08:00

Derived from Yiddish, this noun means pleasure or pride especially in one's children or grandchildren.

Luckily, the school district gives a parent detailed access to an online accounting of their child's school activities. While the site certainly provides visibility of opportunities for improvement, I mostly find an extreme sense of naches as I watch Isaac's progress.

Science: Double Helix Origami

2011-12-08T06:14:00.001-08:00

Cool looking idea from Instructables.

Christmas: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Tauntaun

2011-11-29T06:25:00.001-08:00

via Neatorama

Word Of The Day: Equable

2011-11-29T06:07:00.001-08:00

Consider subscribing to the word of the day RSS feed if you use a feed reader. Great review.Today's word seems more like a meditation. Equable, equable, equable.

MEANING:adjective:1. Not easily upset; tranquil.2. Uniform; steady.3. Free from extremes.

USAGE: Despite the ongoing barrage of advice from the visiting coach, the equable temperament of the referee created a fair and enjoyable game for the players.

Google: Turkey

2011-11-23T07:53:00.001-08:00

Have you made your own Google Turkey?

Physics: NASA's Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics

2011-11-23T07:44:00.001-08:00

Fantastically exhaustive web textbook of aeronautics from NASA. Specifically check out Parts Of An Airplane. Try going through each part and seeing how the pieces affect the forces acting on the plane.

Short: Address Is Approximate

2011-11-23T05:38:00.001-08:00

Never considered Google Street view as a travel guide or a teleport device.

Address Is Approximate from The Theory on Vimeo.

via GeekDad

Money: How Much Does That Cost

2011-11-21T13:31:00.001-08:00

Good chart comparing how much things cost up to a global scale. A huge amount of data here, zoom in to see the specifics.via xkcd

Science Fair: Light Theremin

2011-11-18T06:18:00.001-08:00

Nothing more fun than making noise. Should go well with the schematic reading. via Make

Science: How To Read A Schematic

2011-11-16T10:55:00.001-08:00

Isaac is studying circuits in science class. This video seems like a good extension of circuits, explaining how to read a schematic and the function of many common components in an electrical circuit. via BoingBoing

Veteran's Day: Thank You

2011-11-11T06:23:00.001-08:00

I'm sure it's simplistic and terribly unrealistic, but I like this image from the NY Times.

Thank you and your families for your work. Thank you for telling us your stories. Thank you for being our brothers, fathers, and grandfathers.

Birds: Murmuration

2011-11-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

"A collection of starlings is called a murmuration." via GeekDad

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Games: Misslebreak Outvaders

2011-11-04T10:39:00.000-07:00

Whoa this is a good one. Great mash-up game via woot.

Work: Create Magic and Art

2011-11-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

This article from Seth Godin seems to apply to many work and study environments. Are you doing math or arithmetic?

Far better to have a job where there are equal parts magic and art involved in processing the stuff in that basket. Seth Godin

Music: Moogfest

2011-11-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

NPR's All Songs Considered recaps the Moogfest Festival. Isaac has been playing with a Moog simulator on the computer and might be interested the music is generated professionally.

Star Wars: On The Streets

2011-10-31T06:16:00.000-07:00

Nice Mash-up.

via Neatorama

Quote: Be Humble

2011-10-31T05:53:00.000-07:00

Have more than thou showest; Speak less than thou knowest.
William Shakespeare, 'King Lear,' Act I, Scene iv
Greatest English dramatist & poet (1564 - 1616)

Birthday: Happy Birthday Hannah

2011-10-31T05:49:00.000-07:00

That's why we call it a Birthday Parade! Happy Birthday Hannah!

Have a look around in this fun arcade.

For Mark and Isaac

2011-10-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

Ella Wheeler Wilcox (American poet 1850)

“Come, cuddle your head on my shoulder, dear, Your head like the golden-rod, And we will go sailing away from here To the beautiful land of Nod

OWS: Occupy Mordor

2011-10-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

via Neatorama

Practice: Performance Is Magic

2011-10-24T06:09:00.000-07:00

This Scrivle cartoon explores the relationship of practice to performance. Practice is necessary to allow the possibility of magic during the performance.

Math: Amicable Numbers

2011-10-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

Isaac is currently studying factors in class, seems like a good to time to review amicable numbers. Interesting the site discussing is a sci-fy discussion site, i09.

Led Zepplin: Whole Lotta Love

2011-10-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

You must check this out and prepare to be amazed.

Safety: Required Reading For Internet Users

2011-10-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

If you use the internet please invest a few minutes and at least read the 'Stay Safe Online' portion of this Google public safety announcement. Discusses passwords, phishing, malware, and others.

Star Wars: Alphabet

2011-10-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

Bonus points if you can name each character. via LaughingSquid

Birthday: Happy Birthday Uncle Michael

2011-10-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Thought you might appreciate a little Trombone Shorty to celebrate. Thanks for turning us on to him, we'll always remember the incredible concert at Austin City Limits Festival.

Programming: HTML Class

2011-10-09T20:02:00.001-07:00

Html writing class at Gammie's house.

Feliz Cumpleanos

2011-10-07T14:27:00.001-07:00

My Dearest Love,

Every day my heart sings, my eyes glow, and my blood flows when thinking of our beautiful love. Happy Birthday to the man of my dreams. Isaac and I are so thankful for your unconditional love and the continued adventures you give to us.

We love you "to infinity and beyond!"

Love,
Denise and Isaac
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Steve Jobs: Think Differently

2011-10-07T06:06:00.001-07:00

gapingvoid reinvention of an Apple commercial and the original. "Here's to the crazy ones..."

Science: Berkley Anatomy Lessons Online

2011-10-04T10:07:00.000-07:00

Professor Marian Diamond from Berkley has posted her human anatomy lectures online at YouTube.

In the first 10 minutes, she has this comment about the human brain, "this structure only weighs 3 lbs but has the capacity to conceive of a universe a billion light years across."

Here's her 2nd lesson on Skeletal System.

The Birthday Parade has started!!!!

2011-10-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

Mark's new birthday present. His parade is in full swing! Let there be jazz bands in celebration! My music boys will be coming to a city near you... Nothing better than having the house filled with music. Join the fiesta!

Quantum Physics: Schrodinger's Cat In Comic

2011-09-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

via Neatorama

Science: Sound Science

2011-09-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

Amazing math, anatomy, physics and music lesson. Goes by very quickly, but you can always hit the pause button. from MAKE and Vi Hart.

Inspiration: Tina Turner Proud Mary

2011-09-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

Tina Turner's version of Proud Mary. She notes in the introduction, you probably want something "nice and easy," but we don't do things nice and easy.

"The big wheel keeps on turning," Go earn your tomorrow!

via LifeHacker

Science: Slinky Physics

2011-09-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

Wave propagation and application to sports science. via Neatorama.

Non Sequitur: Our Unquestioned Dogma Is Flexible

2011-09-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

Autobiography: Isaac's Reading Project

2011-09-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

Quote: A Shower Doesn't Just Fulfill A Physical Need

2011-09-22T06:04:00.000-07:00

Love long showers, can't wait to make mine bigger. via Scrivle

Sing: Matrix A Capella

2011-09-22T05:58:00.000-07:00

Lobby scene from Matrix a capella style.

Birthday: Happy Birthday Brian!

2011-09-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

May the Force be with you!

TED: The Art Of Living Dangerously

2011-09-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

Discussion by William Gurstelle at TED 2011. The trick is to be slightly more risky than the average person. Time to fix up the potato launcher.

Music: Another Mariachi Brick In The Wall

2011-09-19T06:26:00.001-07:00

Missed Dieciséis De Septembre. Throw your grito.

Games: Strategy Versus Reality

2011-09-19T06:10:00.000-07:00

Thought the Pokemon crowd would appreciate this comic strip.

Music: Trombone Shorty Solo On Conan 08/15/11

2011-09-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

Learned how to link to a specific time on a YouTube video (use the 't' query string).

It doesn't seem to work with the video embed code, just a hyperlink.

Music: Ramones Live in London 1977

2011-09-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

via BoingBoing

Science Fair: Light Theremin

2011-09-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Sounds like an awesome weekend project from Make Projects and Radio Shack.

Photos: Humans of New York

2011-09-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

This is a great website. This story is about a homeless entrepreneur. Great Stuff!

Science: Apollo 15 Testing Galileo's Equivalence Principle

2011-09-13T06:23:00.000-07:00

Further explanation from NASA regarding Galileo's hypothesis.

Pokemon: Online Pokemon Game

2011-09-12T07:05:00.000-07:00

Flash game for Pokemon. You will have to create an account to play. Waiting from the testers for further review.

Via GeekDad.

Diversion: How To Roll a Six Sided Die in Your Head

2011-09-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

via Boing Boing, from "MINDHACKER: 60 Tips, Tricks, and games to take your mind to the next level."

To emulate a 6 sided die, follow this procedure:

1. find a short word, such as “cat.”

2. Sum the numerical values of the letters in the word: C = 3, A = 1, T = 20, and then 3+1+20 = 24.

3. Calculate the number modulo 09 (see the section “How It Works” for the procedure).

If the remainder is a 0, 7, or 8, which will happen one third of the time, discard it and try a new word. Otherwise, the remainder will be a pseudo random number from 1 to 6. Congratulations! This is your 6 sided die roll. (The results for the word “cat” is 6.)

Space: The Moon's North Pole Via LROC

2011-09-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

An image of the moon's north pole taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance orbiter Camera (LROC).

Cello: Teen Spirit

2011-09-07T05:39:00.001-07:00

Trying to talk Isaac into considering playing cello. This seems like a pretty cool introduction.

Physics: Do We Live In A 3D World?

2011-09-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Can you prove it?

This site has one minute videos regarding various physics subjects.

School: Universal Public Education

2011-09-06T06:26:00.000-07:00

This school year is the 93rd year of universal public education. An article from Seth Godin, describes a system originally designed to churn out factory workers.

This weekend Isaac was assigned a large homework project to help him understand literature genres. While we complied with the assignment of printing out the pictures and pasting them into a little book (not raging against the machine too much over here), we first created a website with similar information.

It gave us a good excuse to discuss writing HTML documents, and did not cost any additional time. Dear teacher, the online document is also searchable, linkable, OS independent, and does not require 28 pages of paper.

We'll let you know how it's received.

Rugby: Flash Mob Haka

2011-09-06T05:35:00.000-07:00

The Rugby World Cup begins this week in New Zealand. This video shows a flash mob haka. Great stuff! (thanks Mike for the link)

Ukulele: Lesson Banana Pancakes

2011-09-01T05:39:00.000-07:00

Ukulele Underground lesson for Jack Johnson's Banana Pancakes.

Nerf: Homemade Nerf Darts

2011-08-31T05:52:00.000-07:00

Isaac has created his own dart guns from 1/2 inch PVC pipe, here are homemade darts made from poly foam caulk saver and hot glue to accompany the guns.

Pyrotechnics: Surfing With Flares

2011-08-31T05:45:00.001-07:00

Radical. pyrotechnics

Camping: Camp Fire Egg Inside an Orange Peel

2011-08-26T09:18:00.001-07:00

We'll try this the next time we cook on the coals at home. Apparently you can add foil to the bottom of the orange peel for a softer egg.

via Lifehacker

Lightsabers: Kitten Play

2011-08-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't like kittens? Although the first thing that comes to mind is that the kittens must be practicing not battling. The green and blue lightsabers both represent the Jedi, they would only battle the red saber of the Sith.

Science: Science Journal For Middle and High School Research

2011-08-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Wired magazine discusses the Journal or Emerging Investigators, a science journal for middle and high school students. This takes the science fair to a whole new level.

Cars: Green Slug Bug

2011-08-22T05:49:00.000-07:00

via Neatorama

Tricks: :Parkour On Bikes

2011-08-19T10:50:00.001-07:00

Neatorama calls this parkour for bikes. Watch at about 2:40 he rides a steel cable.

Music: Bach on Organ

2011-08-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

Check out this guys feet! Playing J.S. Bach on an organ on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.

Video: Dramatic Chihuahua

2011-08-18T05:15:00.000-07:00

For the dramatic chicken fans.

Quote: Everyone is a Genius

2011-08-17T05:08:00.001-07:00

via lifeHacker

Quotes: Winners Are Born

2011-08-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

A few quotes inside of drawings for Monday morning. Should be kept in mind while wondering through the busy day.

via Scrivle

via gapingvoid

Politics: Explanation Of The Debt Ceiling

2011-07-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

from ScriptingNews. Season 6 of the West Wing explains the politics of the debt ceiling. "Is it routine, or the end of the world?" "Both."

Music: They Might Be Giants

2011-07-29T05:56:00.000-07:00

From NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.

Fire: Mini-Fireballs With Orange Peel

2011-07-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

via io9.

Quote: No Cure For Curiosity

2011-07-22T05:40:00.001-07:00

My suggestion is to always be a learner.

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. Dorothy Parker

Picture: Atlantis Coming Home

2011-07-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

This picture of the Atlantis entering the Earth's atmosphere on July 21 was taken from the International Space Station.

Android: Android Controlled RC Car

2011-07-19T12:08:00.001-07:00

I just funded this Android controlled RC car on KickStarter. $59 for a car that has touch or motion controls through the phone.

Cannon: New Idea For Potato Cannon

2011-07-18T07:45:00.003-07:00

Great ideas from video on Make magazine for our potato cannon re-design.

They used a sprinkler valve to hook a switch to the launching mechanism.
Liked the folded air canister for easier moving.
Need a larger canister with a screw-off top so that repairs to the Schrader valve are easier.

Quote: There's Still Work To Be Done

2011-07-18T07:45:00.001-07:00

Great quote in support of space exploration from gapingvoid.

Star Wars: Star Wars Meets Metal

2011-07-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

via GeekDad

Roller Coaster: World's Steepest Roller Coaster

2011-07-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

Takabisha roller coaster in Japan includes a 121 degree free fall. via TechCrunch

The free fall begins at about 1:45.

Star Wars: Dark Side of the Death Star

2011-07-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Star Wars puns via Neatorama.

Games: Cardboard Box Assembler

2011-07-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

Routine sounding game, but the testers will give it a try. via Woot!

Kids: Make Your Kids Your Greatest Project

2011-07-06T05:52:00.000-07:00

We are having great fun over the summer. Isaac found he enjoyed playing chess in the coffee shop. It seemed to encourage spontaneous and interesting conversation from total strangers.

via Scrivle.

Hiking: Guadalupe Mountains/Carlsbad Caverns

2011-07-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

On the 4th of July weekend we went to the west edge of Texas to go hiking on the tallest mountain in Texas. We were going to go on a short route and it tuned out to be the hardest hike at the Guadalupe mountains. The next day we went to Carlsbad Caverns and looked at all the cool formations.

The hike was the hardest but funnest hike. Every turn we were all complaining about the ascent. It was the hardest thing in our hiking experiences.
--Isaac

Games: Solarmax

2011-07-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

via Woot. Solarmax, conquer the Galaxy. I haven't attempted yet, but maybe reviews from my tester this evening.

Pictures: Last Year's Father's Day

2011-06-30T18:57:00.000-07:00

Found these on an old camera.

Quote: The Road Less Traveled

2011-06-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile. -Roger Staubach