Author | Lightnews

Don Wells

@jdonwells.bsky.social

3.2K followers 2.8K following 120 posts

Retired computer programmer. Volunteer teacher at Wayne Memorial High School. Teaching Computer Science to teenagers. #microbit micro:bit Champion 2025 #microbitChampion http://www.extremeprogramming.org Героям слава!

www.extremeprogramming.org

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Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 3d

I like the extension that comes with it. The names make sense.

One thing that is missing is control of both motors to travel in a circle.

Another thing missing is grayscale output from the IR sensors to allow advanced guidance like PID.

I like it. If you add those two things I will buy some.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 4d

The ballroom is a front. The numbers don't add up. I think the ballroom will actually hold 2,500 people not 999. It is going to be a place for Trump to have huge shakedown meetings. He will be saying the Hatch Act does not apply because he paid for it.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 5d

1. Trump says tariffs will solve our national debt.
2. Tariffs are taxes. A tariff is a regressive tax.
3. The most effective tax is a progressive tax.
4. The top tax when MAGA believes America Was Great was 94%.
=> The solution to the debt is a progressive tax reaching around 90%.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 6d

This is the "IQ" test Trump took. He proudly told us he answered a tiger, an elephant, a giraffe. He also explained that the questions get much, much harder.

This is in fact a cognitive assessment. It is only difficult if you have dementia.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 7d

We have a new cat.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 7d

Teachers, don't miss these shows from @codejoyedu.bsky.social. They are so well made. Your students will be inspired to try robotics and coding. Elby is the star of the show and students can make one for themselves! learn.birdbraintechnologies.com/hummingbirdb...

Sponsored shows are free! #microbit

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 7d

Maybe contractors are being used. Using contractors puts money into the pockets of campaign donors. Using soldiers does not.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 8d

People need to stop saying the East Ballroom at the White House is almost twice the size of the WH.

The EB is about the same height as the WH. The footprint of the WH is about 14,000 SQ ft. The footprint of the EB is about 45,000 SQ ft.

The East Ballroom will be over 3 times as big by volume.

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Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 8d

It's a test for dementia. You only find them difficult if you have dementia.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 16d

Treasury bills currently have an inverted yield curve.

Historically such a curve is followed by a recession.

Trump believes his economic policies are working so he plans to do nothing.

Congress plans to do nothing because Trump controls them.

If we don't act soon we will have a recession.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 16d

A truck swerved towards a group of protesters. Not to hit them, just scare them. The police arrested him and impounded his truck. The crimes committed include assault, assault with a deadly weapon, and reckless endangerment.

Trump has made being an ass hole popular, but not always legal.

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Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 22d

EMTALA was signed by Republican Ronald Reagan 4/7/86. It says hospitals must treat people who are dying regardless of ability to pay. It never said just US citizens. Immigrants by law must be treated.

Immigrants can NOT get Medicare nor ACA benefits. But they can rely on EMTALA to save their lives.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · 29d

Now, through the application of Generative AI, you can write 2 sentences and have that turned into a 2 page email.

Upon receipt, that two page email can be summarized by AI into 2 sentences that everyone can then read.

Brilliant!

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Oct 5

Here is a slide I have been showing my students for a few years.

Generative AI prompting is just another programming language. Professional level classes are already advising us to include "think deeply" or "let's think step by step" in our prompts.

The real question is: Will they pay us more?

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Sep 25

youtube.com/shorts/-pHrS...

What Prompt Engineers *actually* do #ai #softwareengineer

YouTube video by Alberta Tech

youtube.com

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Sep 25

I saw the garden show today. These shows are so engaging. The Elby world is created from cardboard and paint. Students will be inspired by how much can be created with so little. I am looking forward to Robot Haunted House in October.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Sep 25

I went to the @codejoyedu.bsky.social Robot Garden interactive class today. Another great show for younger kids and adults who never grew up like me. I was inspired by the "BatteryFly". I am going to have to think about making one for myself. These shows always get me thinking. Try one. #microbit

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Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Sep 21

I just finished another good webinar from @codejoyedu.bsky.social. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about teaching and AI. Go to pathfinders.onwingspan.com and look for Practical AI for Educators.

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Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Sep 15

There is some basis in science here. If God made man in his image and the first men were black...

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Sep 14

A brief history of Artificial Intelligence:
1955 Dartmouth conference
1960s Heuristics, symbolic reasoning
1975 AI winter
1980s Rules, knowledge engineering
1988 AI winter
2000s Neural networks, CUDA GPUs
2020s Large Language Models, generative AI

An AI winter is over due.

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Reposted by Don Wells

🍂k a r e n @andthenisleep.bsky.social · Sep 13

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Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Aug 15

Trump has been justifying the tariffs by saying China manipulates prices to artificially lower them. If you want them to stop that then you cannot expect them to eat the tariffs too.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Aug 15

Thank you. Now I know what parts to get.

Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Aug 12

@elecfreaks.bsky.social I am looking at some building brick motors. I have seen these. The problem is that at no time has a photo of the cable and connection ever been taken.

We have this photo. It shows that it will be plugged in, but no notes on what cable will do that.

#microbitchampion

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Don Wells @jdonwells.bsky.social · Aug 12

I got these magnets from Amazon for a reasonable price. They work well. If you need more magnetic power you can get those too. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CS34QTB...

Neosmuk 22lb Heavy Duty Neodymium Cup Magnet with Screw, Round Base Disc Magnet, 4 Pack

Neosmuk 22lb Heavy Duty Neodymium Cup Magnet with Screw, Round Base Disc Magnet, 4 Pack: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific