I’m terrible at programming. But with artificially intelligent help, I can hack it.
At the website Claude.AI, I learned how to make a text-based adventure, the kind familiar to those who remember when DOS was king. Though Claude did nearly all of the work, I was able to add my own story line.
First Claude explained that it was crucial to check off a certain box when downloading Python, the free programming language available at python.org. Naturally, I forgot to check that box. But then the Microsoft Store app in Windows popped up, with the word “get” next to Python 3.13.
Claude said this version would make installation even easier. Then he gave me everything I needed to know to play the game on my computer and enhance it.
The game starts by asking you to choose between a heavily wooded forest and a sunny meadow. The forest leads to a treasure chest. The meadow leads to a bunny.
I added a third option: a raging river that dumps an old man out of his kayak. Two small boys urge you to save him. You get to choose.
I went to Claude initially because I wanted to understand the new “Claude Code.” But it’s not for beginners, Claude said. Developers install it in their terminals to get help with debugging, repetitive tasks and more.
The website, Claude.AI, however, is great for newbies. Every step of the way, he’s there to help if you get stuck. I found it much better than learning from a book. Claude answers the dumbest questions in a friendly and accessible manner.
When I first added to Claude’s adventure story, for example, a spacing error prevented my game from running. Claude quickly debugged it for me. Bugs are the bane of a programmer’s existence. I can’t code a single line without adding one.
But Claude isn’t just for coding. People choose him instead of ChatGPT for deep reasoning, complex problem-solving and nuanced text analysis.
CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY
Years ago, when I bought some pants online, they never showed up. But now I can check a site’s reputation before I click, thanks to a new tool in the Google Chrome web browser.
To start, go to a shopping site in Google Chrome. Next to the address bar at the top of the page, you’ll see two stacked lines, each looking like a wand with a circle on one end. Click it to get reviews. HM.com, for example, gets high marks for value and trustworthiness. But United Apparel Liquidators gets only a fair grade for returns, shipping and pricing.
TRACKING YOUR KIDS
“Find My Skechers” is the name of a new brand of children’s sneakers with a hidden compartment in the heel area that’s designed to hold an Apple AirTag tracker. The cover of the compartment is secured with a screw to keep it from protruding. If your toddlers disappear, select the “Find My” app on your iPad or iPhone to find them immediately.
The shoes are $52 to $58, in toddler sizes 5 to 10. If you have an Android phone, you could use the Moto Tag, which is the same size and shape as the AirTag. Unlike the AirTag, however, the Moto Tag has a button that can ring your phone or act as a camera remote.
The Verge article about this drew many comments. Some labeled it “helicopter parenting.” Others liked the idea. One dad said he started using trackers for his kids after his coworker’s child was kidnapped while the family was abroad. Though the coworker constantly checked the Find My app, it took several months before the family was reunited. Fortunately, the child was fine.
Besides tracking children, shoe trackers are recommended for adults with dementia.
TRACKING YOU DOWN
You have a unique fingerprint that allows you to be tracked, thanks to the way your body interacts with the WiFi signals. The system is called “WhoFi.”
Once tracked, you can be found again in another location, based on how WiFi signals bounce off and through you. According to researchers at the La Sapienza University of Rome, the accuracy rate can reach 95.5%, using WiFi signals generated by two ordinary TP-Link N750 routers. The signals can see through walls and operate in the dark, but it’s not on the market yet.
TRADER’S COMPUTER
If you’re a stock market whiz, you may like the new ProMagixTraderPro computer from Velocity Micro. It can handle information on eight screens at once, unlike standard desktops, which handle only a few screens, and gaming computers, which are too focused on graphics and frame rate. The company stress tests every machine under real trading loads. Prices start at $2,000. Velocity Micro has won awards for its gaming, multimedia, small business, custom workstations and visual supercomputers.
INTERNUTS
“Check My PC Hardware’s Speed with One Windows Command.” Calling all techies. Search that phrase to find out how fast your computer is. Mine has a mediocre graphics card and system, but everything else is great. Your system is slower if the graphics card is slow.
“China is about to launch SSDs so small you insert them like a SIM card.” Search that phrase to learn about the new mini SSD, smaller than a penny. It can hold up to two terabytes worth of data.
Joy Schwabach can be reached by email at joy.schwabach@gmail.com.