@cytherian the lectures are aimed at high-schoolers (last year of curriculum, average age around 17 years) who have received some basic training in Computer Science — a bit of algorithmic problem solving, then some programming in C++, from simple selections/loops to first steps in OOP, then some DB’s, and finally some theoretical notions in computability and computational complexity (Turing finite-state automata, “big-O” notation).
I wanted to show them that video from the Veritasium YT channel describing the resurgence in analog computing (integrators and other difference machines; here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVsUOuSjvcg), but I wanted also a somewhat even simpler introductory hook: the idea of the mechanical knock pencil versus the twistaction pencil is exactly what I can use to steer the lecture where I want it to go.
PS: Yes, I slightly prefer front-heavy MP’s over rear-heavy ones. Sometimes all it takes is a fraction of a gram, but I often can feel the difference, and I interpret that as equilibrium missing. All my favourite MP’s are ever so slightly front-heavy, and the ones I still can’t fully understand — e.g. the rOtring Art Pencil — are often linked to an insufficient weight concentration in the writing end.
Yes, @ulfesharpe , I tried swapping lead sticks. I wanted some harder cores in this TK-Matic, as opposed to the softer lead I use in the writing pencil, but it did not solve the issue. It’s not a big deal, but I’ll check whether the problem pops up also in a couple of other TK-Matic’s (standard or L) I have found over the years.
I fixed mine, cant remember how I did it. It is possible you opened the pencil and put that central piece of the mechanism upside down? It happened to me when I first took it apart or it already came like that from previous owner. There is a part that can be wrongly reassembled.
It is very strange but I had that piece in the yellow circle assembled upside down and the pencil was working badly or not working at all? this is what I can’t remember properly… it was 10 years ago.
Whatever it was the feed was fixed, the lead feed is now 2mm (it goes back a little when you start writing) and I have avoided disassembling it ever since.
Sounds great – would love to take your class. I have a degree in Computer Science, but got it before OOP existed in curriculum. Veritasium is a fascinating channel. It’s amazing how far he has come. Over 15 million subscribers. He’s catching up to Michael… VSauce (22M).
I hear you about your front-heavy preference–I also enjoy the balance a little forward. A bit more to the reaer is a big turnoff. The TOMBOW Zoom 505 has that problem when posting.
I am quite sure I reassembled the TK-Matic correctly after my inspections, but I’ll double check. As far as I remember, this extra-long feed has always been a characteristic of that pencil, but I agree that it should operate in a more reasonable manner. If I solve the problem, I’ll report the cause of the hassle and the troubleshooting procedure on this board.
I have a degree in Computer Science, but got it before OOP existed in curriculum. Veritasium is a fascinating channel. It’s amazing how far he has come. Over 15 million subscribers. He’s catching up to Michael… VSauce (22M).