[tseabrooks]

Maybe but a lot of these new devices every kid has can't be 'programmed' the way my Apple IIe could be. The early computers were devices that could write software for themselves and the current 'post-pc' (I hate this term but it's all I had) devices don't really enable you to write code using them for themselves.

[brg]

I would argue that the inclusion of Applesoft BASIC in the Apple ][ line was the most beneficial thing to happen to the tech field in the 80s. Perhaps at the time it was simply a way to get traction from homebrew hobbyists. But the impact was immense. Spending nights on end in front of green text to type in "Home Computing" programs was the first steps taken by the many of the greatest programmers I've ever worked with.

Newer tech products are designed to be consumable only. They are media devices, ends to themselves and no longer tools of exploration. They do a great job at making peoples lives more enjoyable, but its with regret I see kids unable to begin unlocking how they work simply by typing in 10 PRINT "HELLO"; 20 GOTO 10.