Computers for children

From: Max Eskin <kurtkilgor_at_bigfoot.com>
Date: Tue Jan 12 17:15:46 1999

> This'll probably offend many.
(followed by a description of a circa 1991 powerhouse system)

Well, it has been shown that it's not any more challenging to learn UNIX
than Windows than DOS than MS BASIC 2.0 if it's the first exposure to
computers. I think that if it can be helped, a person's first exposure
should be as encouraging of good computing habits as possible. This means
not windows, and preferrably not macintosh. Just like many intelligent
people like to say that a child should learn to do manual calculations
before using a calculator, same with this. A child should get a proper
introduction to computers. No child needs to be stuck with stupid
paintbrush programs for four years before graduating to doom.

I agree with a C-64, though that's not really to great either. I recommend
either a UNIX/Linux system, because that will allow learning about networks
and so on, or a machine like a PDP-8 or an Altair that would encourage
really low-level tinkering. I hope no one here makes the decision to raise
a Microserf!
Received on Tue Jan 12 1999 - 17:15:46 GMT