This letter is associated with the following article:
Letters
Thursday, September 14, 2006 12:00 AM

Why Johnny can't code

BASIC used to be on every computer a child touched -- but today there's no easy way for kids to get hooked on programming.
By David Brin

Read other letters about this article

  • Thursday, September 14, 2006 08:55 AM

    Thanks for writing this article

    Dr. Brin,

    I just wanted to write and say thank you for writing this article! I'm 30 years old and while I'm now a graduate student in medieval lit., I spent most of my 20's working in IT -- something I don't think would have come about without noodling around on a C-64 when I was a kid.

    Something else that occurred to me while reading this is that there are emulators for a lot of the older hardware. I just downloaded one called CCS64 (it can be found at http://www.computerbrains.com/ccs64/). I haven't tried it yet so I cannot recommend it one way or the other, but I thought I should mention the option.

    Lastly, if I can take a moment to be a gushing fanboy, I just read the entirety of the Uplift series and enjoyed it throughly. I'd like to see more stories set in that universe, perhaps in the vein of the first trilogy, if the mood ever strikes you.

    Thanks,

    --Matt

    —matrygg Read matrygg's other letters

    Flag
Read other letters about this article

Most Active Letters Threads

370

A key British official reminds us of the forgotten anthrax attack

A vast array of establishment and expert sources do not believe this episode was really resolved.
Glenn Greenwald Read article
205

Is Obama's civil liberties record understandable?

Was it unreasonable to expect him to adhere to his commitments regarding the Constitution?
Glenn Greenwald Read article
105

How dare you criticize wasteful defense spending!

So you think it's only terrorist-appeasing lefties who are down on Pentagon profligacy? Think again
By David Sirota Read article
98

The crazy, irrational beliefs of Muslims

Tom Friedman explains the real problem: stupid Muslims think the U.S. is about war and aggression.
Glenn Greenwald Read article
51

Police to talk to Woods

Early morning crash raises questions, and revives tabloid speculation
By DOUG FERGUSON, Associated Press Read article

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon