Software Used in Classes

I'm a big fan of free and open source software that runs on multiple operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, etc.). All, or most of the software I use in my classes is of this type.

Python

In the Python classes we use Python, PyGame, and xturtle.
Python License
PyGame License
xturtle's license is in the source code file xturtle.py.

Scratch

In the Scratch class we use Scratch. We prefer the Firefox Web browser.

Alice

In the Alice class we use Alice or Storytelling Alice.

Media

In all classes, to edit images we use Inkscape and the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). For editing sound files we use Audacity.

Installation Checklist

This is the checklist I used to install software at DVC for summer 2008. Perhaps it will be useful to people wanting to replicate some of the environment at home.

Run Firefox installer

Install python with installer
Install pygame, pygame docs with installers
Copy graphics.py into c:/python25/lib/site-packages
Copy xturtle0.95_with_demo to site-packages
Copy xturtle0.pth to site-packages
Verify python, pygame, graphics.py, pygame stars example run
Validate xturtle
from xturtle import *
p = Pen()
p.fd(20)

Install scratch with installer

Install Alice
  Unzip files into directories
    cfk\briccetti\alice

Install GIMP with installer

Verify jnlp files run java web start in all browsers

Ensure davebsoft.com and dbschools.com and dbschools.com/moodle/ run OK

Ensure pygame.org, davebsoft.com, dbschools.com are not censored by DVC

QuickQuiz on 2 machines

Access network file sharing (S: drive or whatever): I can write and kids
can at least read

Shortcut on taskbar to cfk folder