I’ve just had a problem with Kubuntu where the start menu didn’t appear. So it was not possible to launch applications, or pretty much do anything. For anyone that has a similar problem this is how I fixed it. First identify the problem. To be able to do some diagnosis you need a shell. To […]

I’ve recently published a book Beginning Game Programming with Pygame Zero. To accompany the book I’ve created some videos showing some of the games that you can create and some of the techniques that have been covered in the book. I’ve also created some other videos and tutorials that are not directly related to the […]

This is my second professionally published book, published by Apress. Beginning Game Programming with Pygame Zero. The is a fun way to learn computer programming by creating computer games. This is designed as a book to give you all the skills you need to start programming your own games, from designing the game, creating the […]

A few years ago I backed a Kickstarter project for the original NexDock for use with the Raspberry Pi. Last year they created an updated version called the NexDock 2. A new improved version. You can see my NexDock 2 unboxing and review video here, or read on for more information. What is a NexDock? […]

Pygame Zero is an easy way to get started in game programming. It used Python Pygame, but makes getting started easier by reducing the amount of code required. I’ve previously created a tutorial getting started with Pygame Zero programming. One feature that is missing from Pygame Zero is support for joysticks or gamepads. It is […]

I have recently been upgrading some of my home automation. I already use Energenie Pi-Mote to control some electrical power sockets, I’ve now replaced some of my light switches with Sengled home automation light bulbs. Initially I’ve been using my Pi-power software running on a Raspberry Touch Screen and some timed actions to automatically turn […]

I was again involved with the Raspberry Pi Birthday Celebrations in Birmingham. This years event was held at the STEMHouse in Birmingham. A makerspace / startup space designed for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to create a product. There was a strong influence of 3D printing and games programming at the event, including my own […]

This year I’ve been creating a 3D model of a building for an outdoor model railway. Technically it’s a building for a weigh bridge rather than a house, but I’ve given it a Santa’s Grotto make-over for Christmas and so Christmas House sounds better. The building is designed in TinkerCAD based on a real building […]

This project is called the JLL piano. This is a school project that my daughter created for her music homework. She needed to create a project that related to Jerry Lee Lewis and she created a mini piano that plays a short clip for a different song depending upon the key that is pressed. It […]

Recently I’ve been programming some games using Pygame Zero. Pygame Zero is combination of libraries and other code that interfaces with Pygame to make it easier to program graphical games (or other applications). I’ve created two games so far one of which is designed for the Picade, Raspberry Pi based mini Arcade Machine and the […]