We're definitely open to feedback and we are considering bringing the CSS editor into Piny. One concern, when I think about it, is that CSS styling in React & co is very fragmented, with many different solutions such as CSS-in-JS etc... Maybe I'm just overthinking it :)
We did start with Tailwind because it is very convenient, with all styling inlined directly into HTML.
Not every child is the same - some enjoy our course and find it valuable. HTML Planet can spark kids interest for going deeper into web creativity. Self-learning resources you mentioned require strong pre-existing motivation and/or hands-on parental guidance. Some kids have that naturally while others require more gentle kid-friendly introduction.
For other parents here, if your kids are interested in learning HTML and CSS with the help of cute aliens, my son (who was 11 at the time) and I built HTML Planet for Kids [0]. The course uses a visual editor for manipulating HTML, so that there is less typing and frustrating syntax mistakes, while still exposing the code directly without any added abstractions.
Take a look at the Vue Designer [0] (it is our app), an editor that let's you visually build Vue projects, not just using existing components. You can even build components with the editor.
Take a look at Pinegrow [0] (I'm the author). It is a desktop app that lets you visually work with standard HTML & CSS files and supports frameworks such as Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS or just plain old CSS. There are also more advanced features, for example live SASS compilation, components, interactions and even exporting WordPress themes and blocks.
Please note that this recap is not a substitute for taking the time to taking the time to learn about this particular approach to meditation through study and practice [0].
- Our every experience has two parts: its content (for example, a thought "pizza") and awareness (our ability to know / feel / experience it). Usually, we just notice the content, but do not recognize our capacity of being aware. As a counter example, unlike us, a computer can store the word "pizza" in its memory, but it does not have the conscious experience of it.
- Meditation consists of simply being with both, in a natural, relaxed way, but without getting lost
- Being with awareness is easy because it is a core part of every experience. Noticing it can be hard for the exact same reason.
- So, we practice being with awareness again and again, both in short formal meditation sessions and informal, while we go about our daily lives
- We gradually discover the built-in qualities of awareness: openness, freedom, creativity, joy...
The signs that we are doing it (any kind of meditation) right include:
- Being able to better handle ups and downs of life with a relaxed, curious attitude
- Increased sense of humor, creativity, spaciousness of where our life happens
- Kindness toward ourselves and others
The opposite would be signs that whatever we are doing is not benefiting us.
Personally, I find meditation as presented by Mingyur Rinpoche (from Tibetan Buddhist tradition) very useful and practically applicable to every day life. It goes beyond just mindfulness. Here is a quote from [0]:
"...practicing meditation is a process of exploring the heart and mind, of fully experiencing the richness of awareness itself. This implies that meditation is not meant to eliminate the things we don’t like about ourselves, or even to become “better” people. Meditation helps us to see that we are already whole and complete. It is a practical tool that enables us to get in touch with our true nature.
The path of meditation unfolds in two stages: We begin by recognizing that the nature of awareness is fundamentally good and pure, and that it is the source of true and lasting happiness. Once we have directly experienced the basic goodness of awareness, the path of meditation then consists of nurturing this recognition and allowing the qualities of awareness to manifest fully."
How can we use our intelligence to be more happy (in a sense of being ok, content, at peace and able to constructively deal with any situation life throws at us)?
In my experience, being happy or not, mostly depends on my emotional responses to any given situation. For example, reading about highly accomplished people here on HN can make me feel envious and unsatisfied with my performance.
Intelligence makes it possible to understand facts like:
- There is a huge range of possible emotional responses to a single situation. Some are beneficial for me and some are not.
- How I react now is simply a habit. It is not something hard-coded in the situation itself. Instead of envy, I can be happy for these successful people, rejoice in their success. Feel inspired by their example. Doing that is being kind to myself. The more we work with our emotions, the more flexible they become. There is a lot of freedom here.
- The perceived space where my life is happening can be expanded by noticing that what I focus on (myself, my work, my family, my home...) is not the whole reality. There are other people, other countries, other beliefs, all the nature... and all of that is my world.
- Other people are just like me in wanting to be happy and avoiding pain. My happiness is not more important than their - but also not less. We are all doing our best. A kind of feeling of closeness comes through this insight.
Any of these facts will make our life better. And all are discovered through intelligent exploration, through using our smartness.
The post got to the front page and brought in the first two sales. That got the ball rolling and I was able to focus full time on the project since then, building a small team and continuing improving and expanding the app.
We're definitely open to feedback and we are considering bringing the CSS editor into Piny. One concern, when I think about it, is that CSS styling in React & co is very fragmented, with many different solutions such as CSS-in-JS etc... Maybe I'm just overthinking it :)
We did start with Tailwind because it is very convenient, with all styling inlined directly into HTML.