ctrl • alt • make
tech tools & toys you can make yourself
Here are five fun finds. Make one or make them all.
01 • MAKE IT INTERACTIVE
WRITE A NON-LINEAR STORY
Make a story where the reader decides what happens next. Connect bits of writing into different paths, choices, dead ends, victories, terrible decisions, etc. When you're done, publish it as a web page you can share for others to play.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
web browser Twine story idea
GO MAKE IT
what the heck is that?
TWINE : a free, open-source tool for making interactive stories. Check it out.
02 • MAKE AN APP
CREATE A WEATHER APP
Build a simple web app that pulls in real weather data to show the weather conditions for any city you search. Decide what data to show, design how it looks, and what your app does when the weather conditions change between searches.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
HTML Javascript CSS API Open-Meteo APIs
GO MAKE IT
what the heck is that?
HTML / JAVASCRIPT / CSS : web coding components (See some tutorials here).
API : a way for software to ask another for information. (This app asks Open-Meteo for weather data).
Open-Meteo API : completely free weather API that provides current conditions and forecasts for any coordinates (add the Open-Meteo Geocoding API to be even more fancy).
Open Meteo : official website
03 • MAKE A PRESENCE
PUBLISH A SIMPLE PERSONAL WEBSITE
Websites are not dead! Start with a simple template (that's #320 on the right). Then customize with photos, copy, links. colors, fonts, and more. When it feels like yours, hit publish. NOTE: This site was made with Carrd!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Carrd headshot/selfie short bio socials
GO MAKE IT
what the heck is that?
CARRD : a simple website maker that is free to use. Upgrade to attach your domain and unlock more features.
04 • MAKE A GAME WITH CHATGPT
DESIGN A 4X4 CONNECTIONS GAME
First play the connections game I made with ChatGPT about my obsession: 1970s classic rock. Then use my starter prompt to make a game about yours. Play it. Tinker with it. Make it your own.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Browser ChatGPT Starter Prompt
GO MAKE IT
what the heck is that?
CHATGPT : a generative AI chatbot that responds to prompts using large language models
PROMPT : how you tell ChatGPT what you want to know, make, change, or explore
NOTE : the game and starter prompt are stored on GitHub, but you don't need a GitHub account to use either
05 • MAKE A MINI MUSEUM
CURATE A COLLECTION
Pick seven things about one very specific thing you're fascinated by. Add images, links, videos, quotes, or whatever fits. Write a tiny curator's note for each. Arrange them. Give your exhibit a title. Publish.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Wakelet Your Passions
GO MAKE IT
what the heck is that?
WAKELET : a content curation platform that helps you save, organize, and share ideas in visual collections
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