Gaming, Tech, Coursera, & Now That’s Nifty – Our Top Nerdy Picks Week Ending 11/17/2012

What’s Hot This Week? Check Out What We Recommend!
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

The Humble Indie Bundle 

 

 
Again, Humble Bundle has an offer that you won’t want to miss! Now until November 22^nd, you can pick up six DRM-free  games for whatever you are willing to donate. Pay what you want knowing  that you hold the total power of where your money will go. Want it all to go to Charity? Which charity, because you have two to choose from? Both? Want it all to go to the developers? Want to split it 27/73? You are in total control of where your money goes. These 6 games  are compatible with Android, Windows, Mac OS, and Linux and pay a minimum of $1 and snag a Steam Key for your DRM-free game downloads. Did I mention it supports charity? If these games were bought separately, you’d pay upwards of $19 each and they’re not some crappy games. These are high quality, well known games, for a limited time, to support a good cause. Why wait?
 
For More Information Visit: 
Humble Bundle
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coursera 

 

 
I am a firm believer that everyone should have access to an education, and a free one at that, however, that just isn’t an option here in the states, but we don’t need to be discouraged as there are many equally beneficial opportunities to be had. One such source is Coursera. Coursera is an online learning platform where people like you and me can sign up for free, be instructed by professor’s highly experienced in their fields from Princeton, Vanderbilt, and Duke just to name a few, and gain  college level coursework and knowledge from the comfort and convenience of your home.

 

I am always leery of things that might be too go to be true and as a college grad myself working on my second degree, I took it upon myself to try out one of their courses a few months on Science Fiction literature and Fairy Tales.  Having received my first degree online, I was familiar with the online format and was impressed with their blackboard set up. I received more emails from my professor then I had from any of my college professors prior so I was impressed from the get go. He is a professor at the University of Michigan and holds a Master’s degree. The syllabus was well laid out and quite rigorous. Each week I needed to participate in the discussion threads, watch between 5-10 videos, do some reading from the assigned list (all books could be found as free sourced), write several papers and critique my peers work.

 

Upon completion of the course (this one was 9 weeks, but they vary), meaning I turned in all of my assignments on time and participated in the discussions, I would receive a certificate stating I completed said course. I again wanted to test this, so part way in, I dropped the course. I never received my certificate either, which is a good thing.

 

While this might not be a degree or even count towards a degree, most employers would see these courses on a resume as someone who is eager to learn  and is highly committed.  The free college courses don’t stop here though. Many of the top ranked Universities in the States offer free courses and it only takes a Google search of “free college courses” to find that you can get a world-class education without the financial debt. What can it hurt?
 
For More Information Visit: 
Coursera.org
 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

Now That’s Nifty 

 

 
This is a book blog so of course I would be silly to pass up the chance to show you these radical bookends featured on Now That’s Nifty.  They feature 22 very unique bookends that I know I would LOVE to have! Here are just a few of the ones I liked!

 

 

 
For More Information Visit: 
Now That’s Nifty Site
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

GIMP 

 
 
 
Always wanted to own your own copy of PhotoShop but just can’t swallow the lump in your throat when you see the price tag. Yeah, you’re not alone. As a game designer, I spend thousands of dollars each years on updating my software to ensure I am inline with the curve. With the release of CS6, the price has dropped dramatically, but now there are massive limitations on how many systems you can place your copy onto…it’s 1. Yup, 1 system is all you are allowed to installed your software on meaning I not only have to buy updated for my massive game design desktop, but I also have to purchase 2 more to cover my laptop and small desktop I use when I tire of sitting in my box.  The solution I myself have turned to as well as recommending to all of my friends in the tattoo, graphic design,  and inspiring artist fields is Gimp. Gimp has been around for a longtime, and always free, but it is on par, if not even better than PhotoShop. According to their website, they are easier to use, have the same principle tools, and is FREE! I can vouch for it all, however, since I am familiar with both programs, I often find the ease of these programs, well, easy. So give it a try. What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t like it? Uninstall it then!

 

 
For More Information Visit: 
GIMP SHOP
 

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That’s it for this week. Stay tuned for more of our nerdy recommendations!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

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