UPDATE 2018-11-02: The information below is from December 2016. It is no longer relevant to try to keep Kano at version 3.7.0 END UPDATE
I installed Kano OS 3.7.0 on a Raspberry Pi 3B
https://downloads.kano.me/public/Kanux-Beta-v3.7.0-jessie-release_noobs.zip
On first run it has several updates (to beta 3.8.0), which take a long time to run. If you want to keep Make Minecraft DO NOT UPDATE Kano OS to 3.8.0 at this time.
The most significant update I noticed is a total replacement of Make Minecraft with Hack Minecraft.
The underlying concept of learning by using a block-based programming language remains, but the tasks are different, and there doesn't appear to be any way to easily see the Python code. To me that was the most useful part of the exercise, to be able to show that the blocks created specific computer code. Plus which, if you were part-way through Make Minecraft, all your tasks and progress are gone.
Also the tasks are a bit flaky. The write your name one didn't work for me the first time I tried, and the second time it showed a black screen - I had to tab into Minecraft and look in a different direction to see the name blocks. Plus which the blocks for the letter S appear to be wrong.
It looks to me like Hack Minecraft is a replace of /usr/share/make-minecraft ; the original executable and scripting code is completely replaced with Hack Minecraft.
This is not cool to do without any warning. You might want to backup your make-minecraft directory just in case (e.g. make a copy of it using cp -r, if you're familiar with using the command line).
I have posted on Kano World Forum asking for more information but this is probably useless as Forum is no longer maintained. You're supposed to email [email protected] instead.
Ideally Hack Minecraft should be a separate install in /usr/share/hack-minecraft with a default to duplicate world(s) from ~/.minecraft/ (the user's home directory contains the user's Minecraft worlds)
Make Minecraft
- comes with Kano OS 3.7.0
- runs from /usr/share/make-minecraft/bin/make-minecraft
- can easily display the Python code that is being generated from the block programming interface
Hack Minecraft
- installed with an update to Kano OS 3.8.0
- runs from /usr/share/make-minecraft/www/index.html ??? (JavaScript)
- no way to see code generated from block programming interface
3.7.0 to 3.8.0
There are other differences as well. The most significant is that instead showing just a few coding and entertainment related apps in Home (Make & Explore) and grouping everything else inside of "Kano Apps", in 3.8.0 all the apps are listed out page after page. For young children this may not be ideal.
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