I'm working with a group of kids to help them learn the very basics of GameMaker. I'm looking for libraries of sprites, backgrounds, and sounds to help them in the creation process. Are there ready-made libraries for educators out there. If I have to cobble it together on my own, what are good places to get the basics for making simple 2-dimensional games? Also: are there any good premade game templates (shooter, platformer, puzzle games) that we can use to get their ideas down? We're more interested in the story-telling process of game creation, and not so much the learning to program part.
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posted by codacorolla
on Mar 25, 2013 -
3 answers
I just made this recipe. It's been cooking for about 2 hours now. I went back on the site to check and see what the comments were like out of curiosity, and saw that the first comment directly recommended against using frozen chicken breast, as that can give bacteria the opportunity to build up as the crock-pot warms to temperature. I checked a few other places and they seem to agree that frozen meat in a crock-pot is a bad idea. I've already committed the ingredients to this meal, and I'd prefer not to waste them. Is there anything I can do to make this safe to eat?
posted by codacorolla
on Mar 3, 2013 -
17 answers
As I was walking through the student union today (that's a sort of food court / general conference room area in the center of campus) I came across a K-9 unit with a dog that was sniffing people as they walked past. Down the hall there were three other officers watching. Is this just trolling to catch people with drugs, or is it likely that they were trying to find something or someone in particular?
posted by codacorolla
on Dec 10, 2012 -
12 answers
Secret Santa gift for a girl that I don't know too well. I can't provide too much information, but she's 21, college educated, has a fairly bubbly personality, and likes the Ravens. What are some good generic gifts for someone in this age range with this extremely vague set of descriptors? I'm trying to avoid gift cards. Price range is $20 to $30 dollars.
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posted by codacorolla
on Oct 30, 2012 -
25 answers
PHP / Wordpress filter: I need to hide some aspects of my site behind
if ( is_user_logged_in() ) functions, but being a newbie to PHP I don't think I'm getting the syntax right. Specific code is beneath the jump.
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posted by codacorolla
on Aug 31, 2012 -
4 answers
I've recently been watching Twin Peaks again, and I've been wondering... to people who actually watched it air in its original run, what was it like seeing something like this on TV? Did you have watching parties that I've heard so much about? Was the reveal of the killer and the twists and turns along the way surprising? Did you watch until the end of the second season, and were you disappointed when it got the plug pulled on it?
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posted by codacorolla
on Aug 3, 2012 -
66 answers
I'm currently shopping for pay themes for a Wordpress blog. A lot of theme websites have previews for their themes, but are rather limited in their implementation. Are there good review/forum sites for themes that aren't SEO backwash, or is there an effective search method to find sites that use a particular theme?
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posted by codacorolla
on Jul 12, 2012 -
8 answers
I'm new to PHP and Wordpress development, but have experience working with HTML, CSS, Javascript, and XML. I'm currently building a Wordpress theme for a project and I'm feeling a little out of my depth. What is a good starting point for doing theme work?
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posted by codacorolla
on Jul 3, 2012 -
6 answers
I've been accepted to a PHD program at the University of Maryland's
iSchool, and will likely be researching social media and social gaming for my dissertation. I'm excited, love the program, and can't wait to start publishing work as part of the academic community, however
recent discussion on Metafilter, and a smaller living stipend than I expected, have me second guessing what I thought was a great opportunity. Details inside...
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posted by codacorolla
on Apr 6, 2012 -
13 answers
I have to attend a wedding at the end of April. Upon taking my suit out of storage at my parent's house, and finding a hole eaten through the shoulder, I no longer have a suit. I'm looking at
this suit from Indochino, but was curious if there'd be anything at cost or cheaper in the DC area, and any general advice when ordering from Indochino.
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posted by codacorolla
on Mar 27, 2012 -
24 answers
Where did Google's advanced search feature disappear to this time, and why do they keep moving it around? Is there any way I can edit my settings so that it's always in a nice visible place?
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posted by codacorolla
on Feb 27, 2012 -
5 answers
I've volunteered to set up and run the Facebook page for a student social organization. I was looking for suggestions on how to best manage a Facebook presence. The page would mainly be focused in advertising events that the group will be hosting, as well as recruiting new members.
posted by codacorolla
on Jan 11, 2012 -
3 answers
I have a Keurig B31. I love it, but it's already not working right after just a week of use. The problem comes when I put water into the resevoir, open up the head to put in a cup, close the head (which should then allow me to brew) but instead leads back to a cycle where it keeps asking me to add water, then open the head. When it's finally ready to brew it makes about half of what it should, and it also seems like there's water building up in the reservoir (which, according to the guide, shouldn't happen as each brew should empty whatever is in the reservoir). Is there anything I can do to reset the machine or otherwise make it work correctly?
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posted by codacorolla
on Jan 3, 2012 -
12 answers
I have fifty dollars to spend on Amazon, and I'm looking for ideas beyond books, ebooks, music, or movies. If you had had to pick 3-5 $10 to $15 dollar items that would make your life slightly better in some way, what would you pick?
posted by codacorolla
on Dec 25, 2011 -
34 answers
I'm interested in how effective edutainment (specifically using games for learning) is, and especially interested in critical articles or books about edutainment as an industry. Much of the stuff that I read is very positive about educational gaming, but I have a gut feeling that there has to be a negative perspective as well. Can anyone recommend resources that deal with this?
posted by codacorolla
on Dec 7, 2011 -
5 answers
I'm participating in a Thanksgiving potluck this weekend. I've been assigned a corn based dish - possibly a casserole of some sort. I'm not a good cook, but can manage simple things. Does anyone have any favorite corn based recipes that are more involved than heating up frozen or canned veggies?
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posted by codacorolla
on Nov 16, 2011 -
31 answers
Recently spam mail from (what appears to be) the same source keeps getting through my Gmail account. I've never had a problem with this in the past, and the current crop all seems to be roughly formatted in the same way. I've been marking everything I notice as it comes through, but is there anything else I can do?
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posted by codacorolla
on Nov 3, 2011 -
8 answers
About a year and a half ago my graphics card crapped out. I'd like to replace it at a level where I can play modern games again, but not necessarily at the highest graphics setting. I've never replaced a graphics card before, so I'm not sure what I'm looking for in terms of purchasing and installation. Specs for my system inside...
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posted by codacorolla
on Sep 2, 2011 -
15 answers
When I was a kid one of my favorite books was a manual on how to draw spooky Halloween scenes. It was printed in orange and black, and mostly everything was in silhouette. Can you help me find it?
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posted by codacorolla
on Jul 17, 2011 -
4 answers
I went to a concert over the weekend, and probably stood too close to a speaker. I've had a light ringing in my right ear for around a day now, and have hadn't really experience anything like this before. I have no history of hearing loss, and have always tested well on hearing tests for various physicals/jobs. Sound seems slightly muffled on that side. Should I see a doctor, wait it out, or am I overreacting? I have insurance, but it's not very good.
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posted by codacorolla
on Jun 5, 2011 -
20 answers
I'm looking for "manor house" mystery novels, that take place in a single location (including a manor house, but variety would be appreciated), and involve tracking down a killer.
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posted by codacorolla
on May 15, 2011 -
36 answers
I have a summer without a full-time job lined up, live near a world-class college campus, and wouldn't mind sitting in on classes. I don't have enough money to actually enroll for non-credit, so I was wondering: what's the general policy is on sitting in on large lecture classes?
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posted by codacorolla
on Apr 27, 2011 -
14 answers
I'm in College Park, MD for graduate school. My lease ends in August, and I feel like it's time to start looking for a place. I want to stay within a few minutes of campus (lived in Hyattsville before, and really liked that) but also want to try to get a place between $500 to $700 before utilities and cable. I've mostly just known people for the past few places I've lived, so I'm looking for some advice on when to start seriously looking, where to look, and other advice.
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posted by codacorolla
on Apr 19, 2011 -
6 answers
I was recently watching The Shining and I was struck by what an amazing movie it is. I'm not very well versed in film theory, so I was wondering if someone who knows film can tell me, from a critical perspective, what makes it such a great movie.
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posted by codacorolla
on Apr 10, 2011 -
39 answers
Sometimes I need to get to sleep well before the 1 AM noise cutoff for the shared house I live in.
SleepPhones seem to come up in a lot of Ask threads about this sort of thing. Has anyone tried them, and are there cheaper alternatives for comfortable, sleepable headphones?
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posted by codacorolla
on Mar 8, 2011 -
5 answers
I've decided that I want to get an Internet TV box of some sort. I'd like to stay under 150 dollars, and would probably be using it to watch Netflix Instant mainly, but would be interested in other features as well. What can you tell me about the different models on the market, and which would be the best value?
posted by codacorolla
on Feb 17, 2011 -
31 answers
I've recently (sadly, I might say) started watching
Storage Wars on A & E. Outside of the slightly gameshow aspect of the program, can anyone tell me anything about buying and flipping defaulted storage units? It seems fascinating beyond the trashy staged feel of the TV show.
posted by codacorolla
on Jan 6, 2011 -
15 answers
I would like to price out a survey for an academic paper. Is it possible to see how many people list a certain interest or profession on facebook without paying for anything up front?
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posted by codacorolla
on Dec 7, 2010 -
4 answers
Is it a reasonable reading of the film version of Fight Club to say that Marla Singer is another projection of the narrator's neurosis, and that she doesn't exist?
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posted by codacorolla
on Nov 8, 2010 -
11 answers
At a bar I like to go to in Baltimore (The Pickled Parrot in Canton) there is an old National Bohemia beer sign above the bar. It features the Natty Boh guy, of course, and then an anthropomorphic clam, a guy who looks like a quaker (maybe a pilgrim), a turtle, and a pelican in a sailor's hat. Who are these characters?
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posted by codacorolla
on Oct 16, 2010 -
9 answers
What are your favorite design / image / art tumblrs? I'd like to start building a collection of feeds to get cool images for inspiration.
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posted by codacorolla
on Aug 12, 2010 -
9 answers
I submitted a form to the property management outfit of my apartment in April to move out. Come July, my expected move-out month, they say they can't find the form. The woman I spoke to about this said that they'll see what they can see and try to work with me, but if they end up saying I have to stay for another 2 months (60 days is required notice period) what are my options?
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posted by codacorolla
on Jul 20, 2010 -
15 answers
I'm doing some simple computer work for pay, but unsure of what to charge. The work involves resizing some digital images, compiling a short word document to describe them, burning them onto a few CDs, which will then be submitted for a grant. I haven't run any figures by the person I'm doing the work for yet.
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posted by codacorolla
on Jul 13, 2010 -
9 answers
I have a document that has 4 identical postcard sized signs that display a constantly changing date. I'd like to put a macro button in (either Word or Publisher) that will open up a dialog box and allow me to type in the date, and have it auto-populate into the appropriate 4 places.
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posted by codacorolla
on Jun 26, 2010 -
5 answers
I'm currently using
this USB capture device. The sound (regardless of the source, it seems) is always tinny and weak... maybe 1/3 the volume it should be. Would putting a preamp in between the source and the card improve things? Am I resigned to mixing sound in after the fact?
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posted by codacorolla
on Jun 18, 2010 -
4 answers
I’m coming from a non-technical background, and would like to learn more about circuit design and electrical engineering on a hobby based level. How did you get involved, and what resources are good for beginners?
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posted by codacorolla
on Jun 10, 2010 -
13 answers
People have/make distortion pedals for sound. Do people also make distortion pedals for video?
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posted by codacorolla
on Jun 3, 2010 -
9 answers
I want to record from a VCR. What is the best Video Capture card for a PC? Specifications inside.
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posted by codacorolla
on May 25, 2010 -
4 answers
I'm trying to identify a song which has the main lyric of "chocolate kisses". Unsure of pretty much any other detail.
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posted by codacorolla
on May 9, 2010 -
5 answers
What are your top five items for an adult graphic novel collection in a public library? Our system is looking at the possibility of creating a new section for adult graphic novels (right now we have the majority of them in YA, and the remainder interfiled through non-fic), and I was asked my opinion on new titles that we could buy to fill out the ranks.
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posted by codacorolla
on Apr 14, 2010 -
56 answers
I've been recommended for admission to the graduate program I applied for!! Just a few questions...
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posted by codacorolla
on Mar 25, 2010 -
12 answers
I have a ruleset for a board game and am working on prototyping it. I don't necessarily want to make money off of it, and I'm mostly doing it for fun. One possible option is to put up the ruleset online while copyrighting the basic idea - is this a good idea?
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posted by codacorolla
on Feb 17, 2010 -
8 answers
When I was in 4th (maybe 5th) grade, we were shown a series of educational programs where a dude with magical powers helped kids solve everyday problems (what leisure activity is the best? how should I invest my allowance to get what I most desire?) through basic ecnomic principles. What is this show?
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posted by codacorolla
on Feb 5, 2010 -
8 answers
I'm thinking about canceling my Comcast internet and TV service. To fulfill my internet needs I would switch from my current last-gen handset to a smart phone with a data plan. What should I consider before I make this move?
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posted by codacorolla
on Dec 16, 2009 -
16 answers
