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#1 2010-07-18 21:48:02

scmb1
Scratch Team
Registered: 2009-03-19
Posts: 1000+

Are Math Projects Simulations?

I've wondered this for a long time- what "project type" is a math project? The closest, I suppose, is Simulation, but a math calculator doesn't simulate math- it is math! A project that used math to simulate physics or one that simulated a certain calculator (a TI-84, for example) would definitely be a simulation, but what about a quadratic formula calculator or a calculator that finds the area of triangles?

I think it would be good to have a few more "project types." As coolstuff suggested, a type called Tools or Utilities would be good. 

Any opinions?

Last edited by scmb1 (2010-07-18 22:41:59)


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#2 2010-07-18 22:01:28

coolstuff
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Registered: 2008-03-06
Posts: 1000+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

Hm... I'd imagine they'd be something along the lines of a simulation, yes. I think there's a huge variety of projects that don't belong in any sort of project type; take AIs for example. I noticed this especially with my more recent projects as I've been exploring new realms of Scratch programming than previously.

Personally, I feel there should be two more project types: AI and utility. The AI section is decently self-explanatory; "utilities" would house projects like graphics-creating projects, maybe things like my Stickfigure Animator. What do you guys think?

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#3 2010-07-18 22:05:47

MaxtheWeirdo
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Registered: 2010-03-18
Posts: 500+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

coolstuff wrote:

Hm... I'd imagine they'd be something along the lines of a simulation, yes. I think there's a huge variety of projects that don't belong in any sort of project type; take AIs for example. I noticed this especially with my more recent projects as I've been exploring new realms of Scratch programming than previously.

Personally, I feel there should be two more project types: AI and utility. The AI section is decently self-explanatory; "utilities" would house projects like graphics-creating projects, maybe things like my Stickfigure Animator. What do you guys think?

I think Other should be a category, but the Utilities could be added.


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#4 2010-07-18 22:11:46

scmb1
Scratch Team
Registered: 2009-03-19
Posts: 1000+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

coolstuff wrote:

Hm... I'd imagine they'd be something along the lines of a simulation, yes. I think there's a huge variety of projects that don't belong in any sort of project type; take AIs for example. I noticed this especially with my more recent projects as I've been exploring new realms of Scratch programming than previously.

Personally, I feel there should be two more project types: AI and utility. The AI section is decently self-explanatory; "utilities" would house projects like graphics-creating projects, maybe things like my Stickfigure Animator. What do you guys think?

"Utilities" would be cool. Some math projects could fit there. I think AI might go in "simulations" since Artificial Intelligence simulates intelligence, doesn't it?

Also, I think "tutorial" would be a good one.

This is starting to turn into a suggestion, isn't it? Well, move it (or I'll request it to be moved), if it gets more suggestion-y.

But anyway, about math. The way I think about it, saying that math projects are simulations is kind of like saying that trusty calculator on your desk doesn't actually make calculations, it only simulates calculations.  smile

Maybe the Simulation "project type" should be replaced with "Anything that isn't a game, art, or an animation, doesn't make art and doesn't tell a story."  tongue

Last edited by scmb1 (2010-07-18 22:13:08)


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#5 2010-07-18 22:16:47

coolstuff
Community Moderator
Registered: 2008-03-06
Posts: 1000+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

scmb1 wrote:

coolstuff wrote:

Hm... I'd imagine they'd be something along the lines of a simulation, yes. I think there's a huge variety of projects that don't belong in any sort of project type; take AIs for example. I noticed this especially with my more recent projects as I've been exploring new realms of Scratch programming than previously.

Personally, I feel there should be two more project types: AI and utility. The AI section is decently self-explanatory; "utilities" would house projects like graphics-creating projects, maybe things like my Stickfigure Animator. What do you guys think?

"Utilities" would be cool. Some math projects could fit there. I think AI might go in "simulations" since Artificial Intelligence simulates intelligence, doesn't it?

That is true - I never thought of that! *tags all my AIs*

Also, I think "tutorial" would be a good one.

Hm... I don't think tutorials are as widely made as the rest...

This is starting to turn into a suggestion, isn't it? Well, move it (or I'll request it to be moved) if it gets more suggestion-y.

If I had stayed right on topic it wouldn't be that way. Sorry about that!

But anyway, about math. The way I think about it, saying that math projects are simulations is kind of like saying that trusty calculator on your desk doesn't actually make calculations, it only simulates calculations.  smile

That is true... Another reason for a "Utilities" project category.

Maybe the Simulation "project type" should be replaced with "Anything that isn't a game, art, or an animation, doesn't make art and doesn't tell a story."  tongue

Or we could just make a "Utilities" project type and get all the math projects in there  smile  Personally, I think "Simulations" is not very widely used at all... It could be replaced by "Utilities."

MaxtheWierdo wrote:

I think Other should be a category, but the Utilities could be added.

Remember that these are tags... And tagging it as "other" isn't really all that informative  smile

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#6 2010-07-18 22:23:25

scmb1
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Registered: 2009-03-19
Posts: 1000+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

Yeah, I definitely agree about Utilities. There's only one problem- utility already has a computer science definition that doesn't fit our purpose:

utility program: (computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer; "a computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users"


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#7 2010-07-18 22:27:18

coolstuff
Community Moderator
Registered: 2008-03-06
Posts: 1000+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

scmb1 wrote:

Yeah, I definitely agree about Utilities. There's only one problem- utility already has a computer science definition that doesn't fit our purpose:

utility program: (computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer; "a computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users"

Maybe something like "tools" then?

I got the idea for the name "utility" from the iPhone app category, where it generally isn't used to support a computer. I guess it has multiple definitions then.

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#8 2010-07-18 22:32:00

scmb1
Scratch Team
Registered: 2009-03-19
Posts: 1000+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

coolstuff wrote:

scmb1 wrote:

Yeah, I definitely agree about Utilities. There's only one problem- utility already has a computer science definition that doesn't fit our purpose:

utility program: (computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer; "a computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users"

Maybe something like "tools" then?

I got the idea for the name "utility" from the iPhone app category, where it generally isn't used to support a computer. I guess it has multiple definitions then.

I like "tools" a lot - it is easy to understand, not intimidating, and could even include some tutorials.

Utilities certainly has lots of definitions, but since this is a programming site, it could get confusing.

But anyway, this has definitely turned into a suggestion. Can you move it? I'll Report it too in case you don't see this.


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#9 2010-07-18 22:34:02

coolstuff
Community Moderator
Registered: 2008-03-06
Posts: 1000+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

scmb1 wrote:

coolstuff wrote:

scmb1 wrote:

Yeah, I definitely agree about Utilities. There's only one problem- utility already has a computer science definition that doesn't fit our purpose:

Maybe something like "tools" then?

I got the idea for the name "utility" from the iPhone app category, where it generally isn't used to support a computer. I guess it has multiple definitions then.

I like "tools" a lot - it is easy to understand, not intimidating, and could even include some tutorials.

Utilities certainly has lots of definitions, but since this is a programming site, it could get confusing.

But anyway, this has definitely turned into a suggestion. Can you move it? I'll Report it too in case you don't see this.

Sure thing! Is it okay if I edit your first post a wee bit to make it clear that it is a suggestion?

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#10 2010-07-18 22:42:44

scmb1
Scratch Team
Registered: 2009-03-19
Posts: 1000+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

coolstuff wrote:

scmb1 wrote:

coolstuff wrote:


Maybe something like "tools" then?

I got the idea for the name "utility" from the iPhone app category, where it generally isn't used to support a computer. I guess it has multiple definitions then.

I like "tools" a lot - it is easy to understand, not intimidating, and could even include some tutorials.

Utilities certainly has lots of definitions, but since this is a programming site, it could get confusing.

But anyway, this has definitely turned into a suggestion. Can you move it? I'll Report it too in case you don't see this.

Sure thing! Is it okay if I edit your first post a wee bit to make it clear that it is a suggestion?

Thank you.  smile  I went ahead and edited it for you. Is it clear?


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#11 2010-07-18 22:48:11

coolstuff
Community Moderator
Registered: 2008-03-06
Posts: 1000+

Re: Are Math Projects Simulations?

Looks great, thanks! Just trying to avoid getting the reports clogged up about this thread being in the wrong forum  smile

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