New Technology Reviews!.: Shoes

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Similar to playing an instrument, Knot tying is a skill that is developed over time with much practice. It's one of those skills that you don't know you need until you find yourself hiking in the woods and want to tie up a temporary shelter with something other than a basic bow knot used for tying your shoes.</div>
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The next best thing to finding an old salt to show you the ropes is an iPad app, Knot Guide HD from WinkPass Creations. Knot Guide HD has 95 knots that are organized into 17 different categories. There are 83 unique knots and a handful that are variations. You can view the knots via categories, alphabetically, or a customizable favorites list. You can even search if you know the name of a knot.</div>
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The iPad app has a picture of each finished knot and describes how each knot is used. There is also a set of step-by-step directions that show you how to tie the knot. If two strands of rope are used, each strand is a different color so you can tell the two apart. A description accompanies each knot-tying step and you can even add your own custom notes for personal hints, tips or tricks. If there are knots you want to remember, you can add them to your favorites list for easy access.</div>
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Knot Guide HD is designed as a reference guide and it looks excellent on the iPad screen. The images of each knot are crisp and clear, though they could be a bit bigger. The descriptions for each step in the tying process are very helpful as they make it easier to understand how you need to move each strand. Only two major items are lacking -- a quiz /game mode and videos. Other apps in this category include videos to demonstrate the knot and a quiz mode to test your knowledge. Some apps even tie into Game Center so you can earn achievements while you learn.</div>
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Despite these drawbacks, Knot Guide HD is a very useful reference guide for anyone that wants to learn the fine art of knot tying. Knot Guide HD is available in the iTunes App Store for $2.99. There is also an iPhone and Mac OS X version.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Gallery: Knot Guide HD</span></div>
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<img alt="Knot Guide HD category view" height="75" mce_src="http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5821/knotguide1thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5821/knotguide1thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD category view" width="75" /><img alt="Knot Guide HD search results" height="75" mce_src="http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5763/knotguide5thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5763/knotguide5thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD search results" width="75" /><img alt="Knot Guide HD Favorites list" height="75" mce_src="http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7243/knotguide4thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7243/knotguide4thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD Favorites list" width="75" /><img alt="Knot Guide HD step-by-step instructions" height="75" mce_src="http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9140/knotguide2thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9140/knotguide2thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD step-by-step instructions" width="75" /><img alt="Knot Guide HD lets you add a personal note" height="75" mce_src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7049/knotguide3thumbnail.jpg" src="http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7049/knotguide3thumbnail.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Knot Guide HD lets you add a personal note" width="75" /></div>
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TUAW's Daily iPad App: Knot Guide HD

Similar to playing an instrument, Knot tying is a skill that is developed over time with much practice. It's one of those skills th...

<img align="right" alt="" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2889/hacketyhacklogo.png" vspace="8" />As a perpetual programmer wannabe, I'm always on the lookout for new tools that make the mysteries of coding a little more accessible. Much to my dismay, most programming tutorials that I've come across assume some prior knowledge or that you're transitioning from some other language. So, I was delighted to discover <a href="http://hackety-hack.com/">Hackety Hack</a> just now (thanks to <a href="http://www.chrisamico.com/">Chris Amico</a> for the tip). It's a fun new Mac app that aims to teach Ruby programming basics to complete beginners. <br />
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<a href="http://thechangelog.com/post/2458293763/hackety-hack-1-0-learn-programming-with-ruby"> Hackety Hack 1.0 just launched</a>, and in the true spirit of of the holidays, it's open source. From what I can see so far (after playing with it a bit), users can browse through some beginner level lessons, including basic Ruby and basic Shoes, or explore some of the sample programs listed. After making some progress, users who register on the Hackety Hack site can upload code to the website as well. There's a handy "Ask a question" feature on the site, too. <br />
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Given how hard it can be for beginners to get their feet wet, I really appreciate efforts like this to make learning more accessible. For anyone looking for more beginner Ruby resources, there's also Chris Pine's online book <a href="http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/"><i>Learn to Program</i></a> (via <a href="http://takaaki.me/">Takaaki Kato</a>) <br />
<h6></h6><a href="http://thechangelog.com/post/2458293763/hackety-hack-1-0-learn-programming-with-ruby">Source</a>

Hackety Hack: A gift to aspiring Ruby programmers

As a perpetual programmer wannabe, I'm always on the lookout for new tools that make the mysteries of coding a little more accessible. M...