iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Had a great time teaching the computer science of algorithms by teaching magic tricks in Dundee as part of the Digital Schoolhouse Festival of Play. How can you do a magic trick, moving a card invisibly from one place to another when you don't know how you did it? www.abertay.ac.uk/news/2026/fe...

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

As it is spring the blossom is out so algorithmically doodle blossom trees. Doodle a different blossom tree every time. Tweak the algorithm to create your own. How realistic can you make it? cs4fn.blog/doodle-algor...

1. DoodleDraw a branch (standing upright)
2. DoodleDraw from that branch.

To DoodleDraw a Branch:
1. Draw two brown triangles connected
in a Y shape
2. Add three flowers at random places near
the top of the Y-shape

To DoodleDraw from a given branch:
1. Draw a smaller branch at an angle
from the given branch.
2. Choose a new existing branch
3. DoodleDraw from that branch

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Our book will be on display at the WS stall during Gathering 4 Gardner 2026 in SF celebrating the playful exchange of ideas and critical thinking in recreational maths, magic and puzzles (was inspired by Martin Gardner as a teenager). conjuringwithcomputation.wordpress.com www.gathering4gardner.org

Cover of Conjuring with Computation
An image of a phoenix emerging from a flame with an Ace of Hearts card

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

A pseudocode poem for if you have non-terminating love also in Python (though usually when I see this from novice programmers it is a mistake!). def myloveforyouisendless(): """My love for you is endless""" my_love = True while my_love == True: print('I love you') cs4fn.blog/2026/01/21/p...

A pseudocode poem surrounded by never ending hearts.
My love for you is endless

My love is true

WHILE my love is true
I love you

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

For valentines day a valentine pseudocode poem that can also be turned into code and executed (or even verified to meet a romantic specification using logic) cs4fn.blog/2026/01/21/p...

Poem in a red heart:
Violets are violet
IF roses are red AND violets are blue
THEN
Life is sweet
ELSE
I love you

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Bored or stressed (or want to develop your algorithmic thinking skills)? Doodledraw a snowflake following our doodle art algorithm, then invent your own algorithms and carry on doodling. From a few instructions a new snowflake emerges, slightly different every time. cs4fn.blog/2026/01/01/d...

A snowflake from hexagons with lines from each corner.

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Computing by all, for all - THIS MONTH July is Disability Pride Month Read about Disability stars in the history of computing at cs4fn.blog/disability-i... #ComputingByAllForAll

Poster of Louis Braille: he devised the first practically used use of binary to represent letters.

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Yesterday I was having fun working with #DigitalSchoolhouse Lead Teachers demonstrating unplugged computing and talking about principles of doing it well based on research on @lctcentre.bsky.social Legitimation Code Theory Semantics and Autonomy... (teaching with Magic, Making Faces and Mayhem)

Three pictures from the session of making a robotic face from volunteers programmed to react to sounds and doing magic.

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

TODAY (6th May) is our CS4FN anniversary event Due to a glitch (Ha! given the topic of the talk) Eventbrite may way sold out when there are still tickets. If so please Jo Brodie (j.brodie@qmul.ac.uk) for a ticket See cs4fn.blog/cs4fn-20th-b...

Wiggly candles on a cake
Tuesday 6th May 2025, 4:30-7pm (talk: 5-6pm) QMUL Mile End
Talk on The illusion of good software design, demos of the Magic of Computer Science and a demonstration of DragonflyAI Vision Software
See the website for tickets and details
cs4fn.blog/cs4fn-20th-birthday/
If eventbrite says ticket sales are closed then contact Jo Brodie for a ticket: j.brodie@qmul.ac.uk

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Championing Diversity: impact of CS4FN For 20 years we've championed diversity, highlighting the research of diverse role models, overcoming stereotypes, inspiring those of all backgrounds that CS careers can be for them, covering diversity in as many forms as we can. See cs4fn.blog/diversity/

Gladys West poster
CS4FN Diversity Computing by all, for all cover
a binary spotted digital guide dog

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

More impact of CS4FN as we come up to our anniversary. Our research applying Maton's sociology theory about knowledge practice, LCT, to computing education, based on our public engagement work, led to it being adopted nationally (as recommended by the NCCE and OFSTED) cs4fn.blog/impact/

A semantic wave from hard to understand to easy and back to hard based on context and conceptual complexity

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Yet more of our impact in our 20th anniversary year By altruistically focussing on public engagement with research we immediately started to inspire lots of students to consider the subject at university...and have continued to do so ever since. cs4fn.blog/impact/

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Computing by all, for all - TODAY May 4 1965 T.V. Raman born Accessibility Research Virtual Guide Dogs cs4fn.blog/2024/04/27/t...

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

More on the impact of CS4FN in our 20th Anniversary year... When the English curriculum changed to include computer science we supported teachers through workshops and resources...demonstrating good pedagogy, providing novel unplugged activities. teachinglondoncomputing.org

demonstrating the Make a Face activity.
1.1 million visitors 2.6 million page views

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

More on the impact of CS4FN from our 20th anniversary year. Current estimate is we've given out ~700,000 free resources to subscribing schools to be passed on to children or used in libraries / ICT suites, or given away at events. (Not counting online downloads from cs4fndownloads.wordpress.com )

Cover of Issue 1 of the magazine - Sodarace special

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

More on our impact in our CS4FN 20th anniversary year. We have had global reach with visits and downloads of our resources (on teachinglondoncomputing.org and cs4fn.blog) from virtually every country in the world - meeting our aim to support teachers wherever they are. cs4fn.blog/impact/

Our resources are used around the world.
Views from top countries round a map of the world
Translations into Welsh, SPanish, German, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Slovenian, ...

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

The publishers appear to be running a promo with a chance to buy the two CS4FN books for 35% off: The Power of Computational Thinking Conjuring with Computation See www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook... and www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook... Ends 30 April 25 Terms/conditions apply.

Covers of Power of CT and Conjuring with Computation

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

It is the Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) project's 20th anniversary. I am gradually writing our impact story. Read about it here: cs4fn.blog/impact/ @qmuleecs.bsky.social Here are some highlights ...

The impact of CS4FN over 20 years
• "Contributed to the rebirth of Computer
Science as a school subject”
• given talks to tens of thousands of
students with positive feedback from
students and teachers
• given CPD talks to thousands of
teachers, to help support them teaching
Computing.
• created long-lasting novel educational
resources, including educational
activities and posters.
• Our resources are used globally
• supported wide ranging research
projects
• kickstarted then supported the massive
increase in those taking CS at university
• contributed to policy change in the
school curriculum to include CS
• contributed to the UK government's
policy change to support teachers
• popularised approaches to improve the
teaching of computer science
• supported tech entrepreneurship and
contributed to the foundation of a
successful spinoff company
• supported diverse diversity
• and more…

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Happy to announce I have been invited to speak at the June Playful Computing Conference in the cost-free computing strand ...it will be fun. www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/playful-comp...

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Computing for all, by all - day by day April 7 2020 Adrian Stokes died One of the founders of the Internet Had spina bifida from birth Read about his contribution at https://cs4fn.blog/2025/01/11/adrian-stokes-internet-pioneer/

Original UK arpanet nodes: RAL - UCL - Norway - US

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

It is neurodiversity celebration week Read about neurodiversity and computer science on our CS4FN portal with articles on: -Designing for autistic people -Neurodiversity and what it takes to be a good programmer -Working in Computer Science: An Autistic Perspective cs4fn.blog/neurodiversi...

Paper planes going in astraight line with one going in a wavy path

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

March is #womenshistorymonth Find out about the work of lots of women in computer science through history on our 'The Women are still here' page cs4fn.blog/the-women-ar... including magazines to download.

Cover of the women are here magazine: The women are here
'computing's too important to be left to men"
Woman's head silhouette with cogs whirring

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

#DIVERSITY Day by Day-TODAY Feb 28 2002 Mary Coombs died A QMUL French, History alumni,she was the first female commercial programmer working for J Lyons & Co programming their Leo computer in the 1950s including payroll for their chain of tea shops. cs4fn.blog/2022/06/17/m... @qmuleecs.bsky.social

Cake as part of a high tea
Image by Pexels from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

#DIVERSITY Day by Day - TODAY February 27, 1996 the first version of Satashi Tajiri’s Pokémon game released in Japan Find out more at: cs4fn.blog/2023/06/04/c...

A miniature pokemon figure in the grass
Image by Ramadhan Notonegoro from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

#DIVERSITY Day by Day-TODAY Feb 25 1670 Maria Kirch born Early human computer of astronomical tables computed moon phases, positions of planets. C20 human computers became programmers. No computers existed then though her friend Leibnitz designed one of marbles. If only... cs4fn.blog/2025/02/25/m...

Phases of the moon
Image by Sergio Serjão from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Our new free CS4FN Primary Puzzle Book Issue 3 is now online. Find the link to download it (+ solutions) here cs4fn.blog/primary-puzz... It is full of computational thinking puzzles and links to computing skills. We will be posting it out to subscribing schools and home learners as soon as printed.

Cover of primary puzzles 3
Match the robot silhouette puzzle

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

The online version of new issue of our primary school aged mag "A Bit of CS4FN" is now available for download from cs4fndownloads.wordpress.com It features Gladys West satnav pioneer. Find the poster of Gladys West here cs4fn.blog/heroes/

Cover of A bit of CS4FN issue 5
Gladys West and satellite

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

ELIZA: the first chatbot to fool people By simulating being a psychotherapist the original chatbot, ELIZA was able to fool people into thinking they were talking to a human. Compared to today's chatbots it was a really simple program. Read about it on the cs4fn blog cs4fn.blog/2025/02/22/e...

Head thinking in a speech bubble
Image adapted from one by by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Diversity Day by Day February 1959 Dina St Johnston, founds Vaughan Programming Services UKs first independent software house. She turns it into a massive success creating software for lots of big organisations from the BBC to British Rail including a bunch of firsts. cs4fn.blog/2025/02/19/d...

A rail departure board with tme platform and destinations.

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

CS4FN DIVERSITY day by day - TODAY February 14 Valentine’s Day Christopher Strachey wrote the first ever ‘creative’ love letter writing program cs4fn.blog/2022/06/20/t...

Interlocking hearts
Image by PIRO from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Turn Right in Tenejapa Designing inclusive software for global markets isn't as easy as you might think. Its not just about language translation. Not everyone thinks like you do. Take directions. Many languages do not have left/right concepts! So that satnav you designed.. cs4fn.blog/2025/02/13/t...

Coloured arrows turning and pointing in lots of different directions on a curved surface. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

It is LGBTQ+ month. Elegance from logic. @qmuleecs.bsky.social Professor Peter Landin was an LGBTQ+ Computer Science Great. Read about his contributions to programming languages and the link to logic helping programs be elegant on the new CS4FN blog post cs4fn.blog/2025/02/08/p...

$Lambda calculus identity \x.x over a rainbow pride flag Flag image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay, composite by PC$

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

TODAY- February 8 1587 Mary Queen of Scots beheaded because Elizabeth I’s team better at information security and cryptography than hers! Read about and solve a puzzle at cs4fn.blog/2025/02/06/a...

An ornate padlock and key
Image by Bernd from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

CS4FN Diversity Day by Day February 5, 1954 Susan Kare born Iconic Icon creator for the first GUIs cs4fn.blog/2023/03/25/s...

A trashcan pixel drawing after Kare's icon

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

CS4FN Diversity Day by Day - TODAY February 4 1929 Mary Coombs born Former QMUL student became first female commercial programmer programming LEO: payroll for Lyons tea shops cs4fn.blog/2022/06/17/m...

Sumptious cake on a table in front of silver tea and coffee pots
Image by Pexels from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

CS4FN diversity day by day February is LGBTQ+ Month Read about LGBTQ+ Computer Science Greats at cs4fn.blog/lgbtq-comput...

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

CS4FN Diversity Day by Day - TODAY February 1 1851 Mary Shelley died Envisioned a future with a-life Read more about a-life cs4fn.blog/2022/06/11/p...

Frankenstein's monster - head
Image by sethJreid from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

CS4FN Diversity Day by Day January 2014. Abandoned as a baby, Freddie Figgers sold the rights to his GPS tracker in a shoe invention for those with Alzheimer’’s disease he created to help his father for $2.2 million. Read more about his life and work cs4fn.blog/2022/10/12/f...

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Designing an interactive prayer mat Great interaction design is based on detecting a need then coming up with a realistic solution others haven’t thought of. Kamal Ali showed how its done with his interactive prayer mat to help young children learn to pray. cs4fn.blog/2025/01/29/d...

Marketing image for My Salah Mat including an image of the mat

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

A sound social venture: recognising birds Dan Stowell was a researcher at @qmuleecs.bsky.social when he founded an early version of a Social Venture: a company created to do social good. With Florence Wilkinson, he turned birdsong into a tech-based version of social good. cs4fn.blog/2025/01/28/a...

Dan and Florence with a smartphone running their app

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Find out more about how computer scientists work with and help clinicians in our new CS4FN "machines and medicine" portal. cs4fn.blog/machines-and...

Cover of Machines making medicine safer CS4FN magazine

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Oh no, not again ... What a mess. There's flour all over the kitchen floor. A fortnight ago ... From a kitchen accident we see how to save lives in hospitals it is all about good no-blame incident reporting cs4fn.blog/2025/01/26/o...

Flour cascading everywhere
Cropped image of that by Anastasiya Komarova from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

CS Diversity Day by Day - TODAY January 19 2000 Hedy Lamarr died Hollywood’s Golden Age Actress and inventor Invented frequency hopping now used in mobile technology Read The movie star, the piano player and the torpedo Download our diversity poster about her cs4fn.blog/heroes/

As well as being a glamorous Hollywood actress, Hedy invented ‘frequency hopping’ which is used to make WiFi work today.

Download the poster.
Read our article about Hedy Lamarr.
Poster by Richard Butterworth

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

It's World Logic Day: celebrate logic, deduction, proof + its massively important role in society not least re computer science. Keep your brain sharp with a puzzle a day. To read about logic & its history, find about solving puzzles see the CS4FN logic & deduction portal cs4fn.blog/logic-and-de...

Part of a logic grid with ticks and crosses

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Disabled from birth with spina bifida, Adrian Stokes was a celebrated "Internet pioneer". He set up the 1st UK email service so transatlantic one, and the service linking other UK sites to the network making it work as a network of networks in different countries. cs4fn.blog/2025/01/11/a...

An abstract schematic of the UK part of the ARPANET. RAL and others connect to UCL which connects to the US via Norway.

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Diversity day by day (and Entrepreneurship) January 8, 1889 Herman Hollerith patented Electric Tabulating System 1st use of punch cards for data. From an immigrant family he struggled with spelling and then bookkeeping but founded the company that went on to become IBM. cs4fn.blog/2025/01/08/h...

Hollerith punched card with holes indicating data

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Diversity Day By Day - Today January 7 1943 Nikola Tesla died Prolific inventor who won the AC/DC battle Suffered from a lot of illness as a child and had a condition where he saw bright flashing lights, had visions and saw flashbacks. He was neurodiverse. cs4fn.blog/diversity-da...

Tesla thinking in front of a giant spiral coil

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Lots more about research on wearable computing as well as history and other links between computing and fashion here... cs4fn.blog/wearable-com...

Cover of CS$FN computing ont he catwalk issue

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

More on logic and proof A handshaking puzzle CS4FN article by Przemysław Wałęga The idea of proof is often daunting for beginners. It takes lots of practice to master. We look at a puzzle about handshaking to get you started. We also look at how well AIs do at solving it cs4fn.blog/2025/01/06/a...

Artists models handshaking
Image by GU LA from Pixabay

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Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN) @cs4fn.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Am still working on my alternative Diversity Day by Day view of Computer Science in CS4FN articles (a long term project) cs4fn.blog/diversity-da... Today for example: 2017 North American release date of film Hidden Figures, 1852 Louis Braille died First widely used binary encoding of letters

January I
Grace Hopper dies 1992

January 2 1938
Lynn Conway born
revolutionises VLSI design, transgender activist
Lynn Conway: revolutionising chip design
January 4 1809
Louis Braille born

January 5 2003
Daphne Oram (digital music) died 2003
The dawn of music humans can’t play

January 6 2017
North American release date of film Hidden Figures.
Hidden Figures: NASAs brilliant calculators

January 6 1852
Louis Braille died
First widely used binary encoding of letters

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