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I agree with the sentiments of the article that kids should be learning the guts of programming. But rather than BASIC look at initiatives like Alan Kay's Squeak for teaching children. Teenagers are now inflicted with C++ one of the most horrible trap-riddled languages ever invented. Rather they should be looking at Eiffel, the cleanest and simplest and yet most sophisticated OO language. Lastly, perhaps a look at Wolfram's Mathematica.
We should have moved on from BASIC by now, especially since it is domintated by Microsoft. Apple is certainly better at promoting the computer as an educational device, but you are probably correct that both Apple and Microsoft are guilty of selling boxes (although the worst offender has to be DELL, which makes huge profits and puts nothing back in towards your noble goals).
Ian Joyner
i.joyner@acm.org
