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Jun 25

Thonny is an Ideal IDE for Teaching Python Programming in Schools

Running a Python program in Linux is as simple as executing the Python file in the terminal.

But that’s not very convenient for everyone and it doesn’t help you debug your programs. too raw.

There are several IDEs and text editors that can be used for Python development. The PyCharm community edition is available for Linux users.

I recently came across another IDE specifically crafted for Python beginners. I liked the idea of this application and hence I am sharing it with you here.

Thonny is a cross-platform, open source Python IDE for beginners

Thonny feels like the Python version of Eclipse in terms of UI and UX. And that’s not entirely a bad thing considering most C++ and Java beginners start with Eclipse and many stay with it afterward.

It’s not a new tool. It has been on the horizon for some years now. I don’t code in Python so I never discovered it until recently.

Dedicated to Python, Thonny has features that help Python beginners understand how their program behaves. Let’s take a look at those features.

Plug and play

Thonny comes with Python so you don’t need to do additional effort for installing Python. That’s not a big deal for Linux users as most distributions have Python installed by default.

The interface is simple. It gives you an editor where you can write your Python program and hit the Run button or use F5 key to play the program. The output is displayed at the bottom.

See variables

From the View-Variables, you can see the values of all the variables. No need to print them all.

Built-in debugger

Run your program step by step by using the debugger. You can access it from the top menu or use the Ctrl+F5 keys. You don’t even need the breakpoints here. You can go into big steps with F6 or in small steps with F7.

In small steps, you can see how Python sees your expressions. This is very helpful for new programmers to understand why their program is behaving in a certain manner.

That’s not it. For function calls, it opens a new window with separate local variables table and code pointer. Super cool!

Syntax error highlighter

Beginners often make simple syntax errors like missing paranthesis, quotes etc. Thonny is points it out immediately in the editor itself.

Local variables are also visually distinguished from globals.

Auto completion

You don’t have to type everything. Thonny supports auto code completion which helps in coding faster.

Access to system shell

From the Tools, you can access the system shell. From here you can install the new Python package or learn to handle Python from the command line.

Please note that if you use Flatpak or Snap, Thonny may not be able to access the system shell.

Manage Pip from GUI

Go to Tools and Manage packages. It opens a window and you can install Pip packages from this GUI.

Good enough features for learning Python, right? Let’s see how to

Jun 24

Our Stories: An EK and AHS Graphic Design Collaboration Project

Our Stories is a collaboration project where Early Kindergarten (EK) classes at Northwood Preschool Center provided drawings and writing prompts for graphic design students at Ames High School to illustrate.

“One of our graphic design projects this year is to make a children’s book page,” said Ames High art teacher Lindsey Wede. Early Kindergarten students in Lindsey Wirth’s Northwood classes, bursting with imagination, would come up with the concept. They would often design a page, verbalize a story, or draw a picture of their idea. From there, the high school students would take the idea and create a digital version of it.

Wede is always looking for ways to make their classroom art projects meaningful, whether through engaging with community organizations, gift-giving, or creating something based on personal inspiration. This project is an extension of creating meaningful art.

“I think it reminds them of what it was like being that little kid,” said Wede. “It also reminds them, too, that not everything needs to be perfect. They look at this drawing that this young student did and they realize how fantastic it is.”

Many of the stories are about talking animals but those themes can resonate across grades. “Milo’s Stripes” is about the power of friendship. “Pig on a Beach” is about learning how to swim. Throughout the collection, fears are overcome and dreams come true. “It has been a very fun and meaningful project and I love how it is connecting our students across grade levels.”

When the projects were complete, they were sent back over to Northwood to be shown and read to the class. For the Early Kindergarten classes, to be able to see their idea in a new graphic format was priceless.

You can view the entire Our Stories collection at the PDF link below.

Our Stories EK Graphic Design Book

Jun 24

Chicago expands and activates quantum network, taking steps toward a secure quantum internet

“The Chicago quantum network presents researchers with unprecedented opportunities to transmit quantum information in a real-world environment and push the boundaries of what is currently possible with quantum security protocols,” said David Awschalom, the Liew Family Professor in Molecular Engineering and Physics at the University of Chicago, director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange, and director of Q-NEXT, a Department of Energy National Quantum Information Science Research Center at Argonne. “This extension enables scientists from academia, industry, and government labs to collaborate on advancing our fundamental understanding of quantum communication and develop a secure quantum internet.”

“While this network is impressive in its scope, it is even more important as a testbed of experimentation into how quantum networks can be used. We look forward to working with CQE to explore the development of quantum network architectures that connect quantum sensors and computers together in new, exciting and useful ways,” said Jay Lowell, chief scientist for Boeing’s Disruptive Computing and Networks team

The rise of quantum computers represents both an enormous opportunity and a fundamental threat. Once operational, they are expected to be able to solve the kinds of problems that are nearly impossible for ordinary computers and thus easily break current encryption. In April, lawmakers in Congress introduced the Quantum Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, which prioritizes timely quantum-proof encrypting of sensitive information so that bad actors cannot steal the data now and decrypt it when stronger quantum computers become reality.

Scientists believe that quantum networks can draw upon the laws of quantum mechanics to be made virtually “unhackable.” Experts around the world have agreed that the implementation of quantum-secure communication networks is one of the most important technological frontiers of the 21st century.

Hack-proof encrypting can be done using quantum key distribution, which is the quantum security technology that was activated on the Chicago area quantum network on June 6, 2022, in a collaboration with Toshiba. Key distribution is a routine part of most internet security, but quantum technology can make it virtually impervious to hacking. In quantum key distribution, secret digital keys are distributed using quantum security protocols among parties communicating sensitive data. The quantum keys are sent through a network of optical fiber via particles of light, called photons, using the photons’ quantum properties to encode the bits that make up the keys. Any attempt to intercept the photons destroys the information they hold.

This kind of unhackable communication has applications anywhere secure communication is particularly vital, including industries such as finance, defense, voting and others.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Chicago Quantum Exchange as trials begin on the network,” said Yasushi Kawakura, vice president of digital solutions at Toshiba. “It’s paramount that we develop quantum-proof technology to proactively defend against threats from the quantum future.”

—This story was first published by the Chicago Quantum Exchange.

Jun 23

Best running gear: top gadgets to keep you motivated | Gadgets

Running is a great way to keep fit this summer and needs a little more than some trainers and a pavement or a park. But even the most enthusiastic of us need some way to keep motivated for regular exercise when the couch, TV or sun lounger looks inviting.

These gadgets can help: from music on the go to the social power of Strava, they make pounding the streets a little more interesting.

Music

A woman running with a phone in an armband and earphones. — Strapping your phone to your bicep in an armband helps keep it secure and out of the way when you run. Photograph: Cultura Creative (RF)/Alamy

Music or podcasts can help you eat up the miles with a bit of entertainment, but holding your phone while you run is not a comfortable way to do things.

Armband phone pockets are one solution. Strapped to your bicep with Velcro and a clear pouch, they let you work your phone and listen to music. They cost about £6-10 and come in various sizes. Or you can use an old MP3 player such as an iPod Shuffle if you still have one around.

Better yet, switch to a wearable music player with a running or smartwatch. Most good smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and others, can store music offline for playback straight to a set of Bluetooth headphones.

The Spotify app showing a running playlist on an Apple Watch. — Spotify and other music apps on smartwatches such as the Apple Watch can play music straight to a set of Bluetooth earphones without your phone. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

If you don’t already have a smartwatch and want something for running, there are many different options. One of my favorites is the Garmin 245 Music, which offers excellent tracking, can store hours of music offline from Spotify, Deezer or others, and can be picked up for about £200.

While you can run with almost any headphones, including AirPods or large over-ear sets, there are models that are better designed for running. I recommend Bluetooth sets that don’t block out the world, allowing you to remain aware of your surroundings.

Shokz OpenRun Pro

Bone conduction headphones send sound waves through your skull instead of your ear drum, making the music sound like it is coming from inside your head while maintaining your awareness of the outside world. Shokz makes some of the best, with lightweight, comfortable designs, long battery life and easy-to-reach onboard controls for playback and volume. They are the only headphones approved by England Athletics for races, too.

The latest £160 OpenRun Pro last up to 10 hours between charges, can Bluetooth pair to two devices at once, weigh only 29g and are IP55 water-resistant so you can safely sweat all over them. They sound good, with more bass than previous models, but bone conduction technology can’t match regular earbuds for low notes. The older £130 OpenRun are similar,

Jun 23

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER job with Staud

At STAUD, we’re looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Senior Graphic Designer to join our Los Angeles team and support this rapidly growing and fast-paced company. You will be reporting directly to the Art Director and Artistic Director.

The Graphic Designer will manage all day-to-day Graphic Design functions.

Essential Functions

What you’ll do:

Responsible for design, layout, and formatting of graphic materials, integrating typographic, photographic, illustrative, and other elements.
Collaborates with creative team to ensure messaging and graphic consistency.
Execute graphic design work according to the visual language of STAUD as well as given Corporate Identity guidelines.
Verbally presents graphic ideas and details with clarity to the Artistic Director and Art Director.
Ensure proper handover of graphic artworks to development.
Maintain a high quality of brand consistency for social media, web landscape, and additional market platforms.

The Ideal Candidate

What you’ll have:

At least 3 years of experience in the Graphic Design field
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign
Strong knowledge of graphic design with awareness of the competitive market
Strong presentation and communication skills
Fluent in English (spoken and written)

Employment Type

Full-time in our Los Angeles HQ