Dr. Homebrew

Overview
       First I have to say well played. The first thing that popped up in my head when I read the last words in the novella was well played. The book had a snarky tone throughout making good use of the third person voice it employed. Dr. Homebrew (a fantastic and original idea in my humble opinion) is set in a dystopian/steampunk environment where Lake Ltd. has a monopoly on the brewery business ruling a small British town with a proverbial iron fist. Dr. Homebrew is standing up to the law providing the people with excellent beer compared to the crap Lake Ltd. makes. It incorporates Steampunk, Mystery, and science fiction quite nicely to make for a great read.

Review
     Well a book like this doesn't appear in my e-mail everyday. The author (well actually Amber from the story e-mailed me the book) sent me a digital copy, but I decided to jump at the Kindle free promo because I prefer books in that format. Even though it wasn't on the top of my queue I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was 93 pages of secrecy, deception, business, smiles, and brewing! The characters were well put together and felt real someone you could actually imagine in real life which I enjoyed. Highly recommendable and an excellent wrap up at the end.

Rating
    5/5 Easily deserves a high rating because it was a great book. That's probably why it was the #1 free Steampunk book two days in a row and now at around #70 paid steampunk. Book looks very promising in a category that is one of my personal favorites.
Site: http://www.doctorhomebrew.com/
Book: http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Homebrew-ebook/dp/B00EGXYMAG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377317630&sr=8-1&keywords=Dr.+Homebrew

Legos: for play or learning

     I recently read a Microsoft Next blog at TechNet about Legos being a play toy or for learning. I think Steve Clayton brings a good point. Now if you are like me, you probably grew up playing with Legos and K'nex.

     Part of the reason I am interested in architecture, building, and engineering so much is because I played with toys that you learn those skills in. I think that is true with many students because it makes you think. It can be considered a play toy if you aren't thinking outside the box but most of the time, I think everyone learns from it.
     As we get into high school, we have a lot more class options and career oriented classes. I accidently enjoyed Robotics and competed at Jefferson City State Competition in Skills USA in my 2012-2013 school year! My older brother did robotics and built them with Legos back when he was in college. Many of the geeks and tech people I talk with played with Legos and K'nex. So, as you can see, Legos and other build oriented toys are a big learning tool and can give you great thinking and engineering skills! There is some exciting stuff from Microsoft too with Windows 8.1 supporting robotics.


The video above shows you what's possible with Legos!

     It's not surprising to see Microsoft partnered with Lego education in the video featured below. Antoine Leblond, corporate vice president, Windows Program Management, demonstrates a new LEGO MINDSTORMS robot and Windows 8.1 app to inspire developers to imagine the possibilities on the platform.

Robotics and Windows 8.1

     I am excited to see this stuff in 8.1. One thing I hope Microsoft does is make the Robotics software run in Visual Studio! Check out the Legos Education stuff at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/2013/jul13/07-17lego.aspx. Happy coding :)

 

Golden City Kidnapping: Too close to home

     Golden City, not too far from where a couple of the Book N Tech people live, is going through a tough time right now. Where we live, things like this just doesn't happen. It has to be very tough for Adrianna Horton's family after being kidnapped at a park and later her body being found after a search involving officers from more than a dozen agencies. Volunteers also came on horseback and ATVs which is common in this town of fewer than 800 people.
     Please keep Adrianna Horton's friends, family, and town  in your prayers. It is very likely that the impact will put some limits on students. These kind of things shouldn't happen but they do. Overall, the town will be impacted and changed so please pray for them.

modTuner Windows 8 App Review

     I was looking for an app to tune a guitar and this one was probably the most precise and accurate I could come up with. I mean, it was accurate, I strummed the guitar to a different note and it changed immediately. So If you are at the Windows Store looking for a tuner, you should check out modTuner and it's freeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Design:
     The design is quite minimal. The GUI (graphical user interface) is quite easy and you really don't have to do any clicking. You can also read everything just fine.
Usage:
     This is really simple. It is basically automatic and even my parents could do it. All you have to do is start playing. Now I am very sure that you can use about any instrument. There is an option if you want to upgrade to Pro.
Overall:
     Great app overall and said by many people to be the most precise you can get. I give it a 5/5 stars because it does the job and it does it well! By the way, this app is freeeeeee!
     Happy coding :)

Custer at the Alamo Review

Overview
       The battle of Little Big Horn and the Alamo are seperated by 40 years of tense war torn years. General Custer with his men are somehow transported back in time 40 years to the time of the Alamo. Not knowing if it was fate or just chance they decide to help out to fight the death loving Santa Anna with historical figures like Davy Crocket and Jim Bowie.

Review
      Well the book wasn't short thank God. It was long and very entertaining. The figures from what I am told comes from years of research. As a military enthusiast I was surprised at the accuracy of the military maneuvers, situations, weapons, and the characters themselves. The battles were exciting for any historical fiction fan and the book was entertaining at times. The Indian aspect was my favorite especially Spotted Eagle who always wanted coup (scalp). I'd easily recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read.

Rating
   5/5 It's hard to find a book this good almost like something from Back to the Future. The book was highly entertaining and provided few grammatical flaws.