What you'll learn

Read and write binary
Read and write hexadecimal
Understand why binary is made of 1s and 0s
Understand ASCII and Unicode
Know what a real gigabyte is
Understand different counting systems (such as Base16 and Base64)

Course content

3 sections • 12 lectures • 2h 47m total length

What is binary?8:26
Why do we have to use binary for digital technology? Why do we use zeroes and ones? This video covers the basics and introduces you to the binary concept.
Binary terms5:00
What's a "word"? This video covers the initial terminology you need to know.
Binary Basics
Meet App Cat8:00
This presentation introduces you to App Cat. He's my buddy and I hope you like him, too. You'll be seeing App Cat every once in a while. He helps me illustrate some concepts, but he usually does it in a way that keeps me laughing.

All of the App Cat presentations in this course are for you to read and enjoy at your own pace. Just flip through the presentation like a comic book.

Kilobytes, Megabytes, and Gigabytes12:35
How many bytes are in a gigabyte? What's the difference between "GB" and "GiB"? In this video, we learn a lot of details about kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes.
App Cat buys a new hard drive20:00
In this episode, App Cat has a tough time buying a new hard drive at the electronics store. I think he understands the concepts, but he doesn't have a very good memory sometimes.
Reading binary: chalkboard session30:38
This video is a chalkboard session. Just FYI... I don't start writing until after the first minute or so. If you just see a black screen but you can hear me, then it's working properly.

This is the longest video of the class, so get your favorite drink and snack and get ready to learn how the read binary! You'll want to follow along with your own paper and pencil. The technique for reading binary is very simple, but it may take a few practice exercises before you feel comfortable with it.
Writing binary: chalkboard session15:55
This is the chalkboard session for writing binary. It's the immediate follow-up to the prior lecture. Keep your pencil and paper handy. There are more do-it-yourself steps in this video.
Reading and Writing Binary
ASCII and Unicode10:26
In this video we learn how binary becomes text... and how all of the world's languages are fit into a standardized layout.
App Cat goes to a meetup20:00
In this episode, App Cat wants to hang out with some cool techie cats. One of them gives him a hard time about a technology issue. I swear I've known people like that cat with the hat.

Base2, Base10, and Base166:44
This video may be a bit challenging at first. Watch it a couple of times if you need, and ask questions there is something I have not explained clearly. Get ready to go beyond what you learned about numbers and counting. You'll never look at the number "ten" the same again!
Reading and writing hexadecimal: chalkboard session25:39
This is the chalkboard session for reading and writing hexadecimal. It's a longer video. Get ready to follow along on your own!
RGB color codes4:09
What does 0x3366FF look like? This video explores RGB color codes and their composition.
Reading and Writing Hexadecimal

Requirements

Pencil and paper
No programming skills needed
Basic math skills (addition and subtraction)
Standard calculator skills (multiplication, exponents)
An open mind to understand new ways of using numbers
Excitement about knowing how all digital technology works

Description

You should take this course if you want to have mastery over the foundations of digital technology... if you want to look at an HD movie and think "I know how that's working on the root level. Awesome!"

This course is all about binary, hexadecimal, and the core concepts that make all of our modern information technology possible. There are videos, quizzes, and a couple of App Cat episodes in presentation format.

You should watch the videos in order. Some of them build on the content from the last video. There are 3 chalkboard session videos that show the how-to steps for reading and writing binary and hexadecimal. You should watch those with paper and a pencil. You'll want to follow along.

Who this course is for:

Professional technologists
Technology enthusiasts
Perpetual learners

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Getting Started3 lectures • 21min

Knowing Binary Inside and Out6 lectures • 1hr 50min

Getting Comfortable with Hexadecimal3 lectures • 37min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: