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Call Sign August 2011
On behalf of all Call Sign gamers, DaC's Jon Winterburn asks...
Gaming:
What's worth playing?
This is really popular in my house and all of
Unreal Development Kit
us have benefitted from the knowledge we have
This software is more advanced, so I'd rec-
gained through playing the missions. The tool is
ommend secondary school or above. If your
suitable for all ages and available for free down-
child (or even you) has ever wanted to
load (Windows only) at http://www.ribbon-
design and create computer games, now
hero.com.
they/you can! I'm not talking about silly
Don't forget you can get Office 2010
stick-man games or other such low-quality
Kids Summer Learning Tools
Professional Plus for only £37.89 (at time of writ-
games, the UDK has been used to make some
As we're well into the summer hols, I thought it
ing) at http://www.software4students.co.uk if
of the most astounding 3D high-quality pre-
would be the perfect time to mention a bunch of
you have children in school, college or university.
mium games out there, including huge titles
computer-based learning tools I've used that can
like Unreal Tournament and The Ball on PC
keep your kids busy and their minds active.
as well as Infinity Blade and Epic Citadel on
Timez Attack
These are tools I've either used personally or my
iPhone. With some perseverance and a
Do you have primary school children who are
son has used, so you can rest assured that this is
decent idea, you can make high-quality com-
struggling with their times tables or division?
good stuff. Even if you don't have kids, or if
puter games which will run on PC or iPhone.
Then they need struggle no more! Timez Attack
they're all grown up, many of these tools are
There's lots of community support and docu-
from BigBrainz really helped my son conquer
great for learning new skills yourself. And best
mentation, which will make learning the
his difficulties with his times tables and he did it
of all they're all free!
UDK framework easier. Have a look at the
by doing something he loves - playing computer
showcase of games created with this free kit
games!
W3C Schools
and download the kit itself (Windows only)
This is a fully-fledged 3D computer game that
This website was set up by the World Wide Web
at http://www.udk.com/ showcase.
allows children to improve their maths skills
Consortium (aka W3C) to provide people of all
level by level. Computer games are proven to be
ages with free online courses in programming for
excellent learning tools because they reward the
Kodu
the web. You can start as a complete novice in
player with achievements as they progress.
If you have younger children and they want to
any area of web development and go from
Without a doubt, I can say that this is the only
create computer games, but UDK is too com-
novice to ninja in a short period of time!
tool you need to solidify your children's under-
plex for them, fear not! Microsoft has made
Covering all major current (and upcoming) web
standing of multiplication and division.
available a nice piece of software that makes it
programming languages (such as HTML, XHTML,
There is a free version available, but you can
easy for young kids to make their own 3D com-
CSS, JavaScript, ASP.NET, PHP etc), you can learn
also buy add-on worlds for when your children
puter games on Windows, PC or XBOX 360.
to code through their intuitive `Try it yourself'
have beaten the standard worlds (though this is
This great piece of kit provides them with a
editor. You can even sit online exams and gain
recognisable certification (for a small fee). This
not at all necessary). You can see some in-game
solid introduction to programming without bor-
website is suitable for all ages (my son is 9 and
footage and download the free software
ing them; they can build games quickly and
he's currently learning HTML; I'm 35 and learn-
(Windows or Mac) at http://www.big
easily, allowing their imagination to take over.
ing jQuery).
brainz.com.
You can get Kodu for free (Windows only) at
Go to http://www.w3schools.com (suitable
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/pro-
for all operating systems and web browsers).
jects/kodu.
Autodesk 123D (Beta)
The makers of AutoCAD (professional 3D mod-
Ribbon Hero
elling software) have released the beta version of
Well, that's all for now. If you're looking for
Microsoft Office Labs have released a free plugin
their new software Autodesk 123D. If your child
any specific education software, by all
to Office 2010 called Ribbon Hero. This is a
is interested in becoming an engineer or design-
means email the Ed who will pass your
nicely crafted graphical learning game that teach-
er, this software will help them to design precise
request onto me and I'll see what I can find
es you how to use the `ribbon' (that's the control
and makeable objects using smart tools by start-
for you.
panel at the top of Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc)
ing with simple shapes and then editing and
More news next month!
to perform everyday tasks with Office 2010. Each
tweaking them into more complex shapes.
level has individual `missions' that award you
Jon Winterburn
This software is suitable for all ages and is free
points when you get them correct.
DaC Network Administrator
(Windows only) at http://www. 123dapp.com.
The London Taxi Company
EURO 5 TX4 PRICING
The London Taxi Company has confirmed its Euro 5 strategy by releasing the following additional statement with regards to pricing...
As previously announced in March, the only change to the current TX4 range of vehicles is that by January 2012 they will need to meet Euro 5
emissions regulations. There will not be any other specification or mechanical differences to the vehicle. However, due to the engineering changes
including the new exhaust system, a Diesel Particulate Filter and the engine recalibration, there will be a £3000 increase in price across the range.
This will make the TX4 (Euro 5) Style models £32,995 and the TX4 (Euro 5) Elegance models £35,995. The Euro 5 TX4 models will go on sale in the
last quarter of 2011.
This price increase will be introduced only on the Euro 5 versions of TX4; the current TX4 (Euro IV) will remain at the price it is
today, starting at £29,995.
Euro 5 requires all automotive manufacturers to reduce the level of particulates and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) released into the environment through
the tail pipe. To achieve this, the London Taxi Company has worked with their partners at VM Motori to modify the exhaust and Exhaust Gas
Recirculation (EGR) aspects of the existing engine. Apart from changes to the exhaust and EGR design of the existing engine, there will be absolute-
ly no other internal or external differences between the Euro IV and Euro 5 versions of the TX4. Final calibration and testing of the system is cur-
rently taking place in Italy, but The London Taxi Company do not anticipate any significant changes to fuel economy or CO2 emissions between
Euro IV and Euro 5.
In London, all new vehicles registered after April 2012 must be Euro 5 compliant, however vehicles with Euro IV engines registered before April
2012 will be able to operate without modification for 15 years in line with the Mayor's recent Air Quality Strategy statement.
