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While I agree with the author's premise, the real point isn't just the ease of BASIC as an entry point, a "gateway" programming language, it's harnessing the simple, operational concepts of low-level development that's important. There is a belief out there that all comp sci students, or the non-academe as well, should study Assembly language. Are web developers writing byte code or operating systems? No. But learning efficient programming techniques and memory and resource management makes you an even more effective programmer.
I also have to ask: What about finding BASIC through LOGO (remember making the turtle move?) or using product's like LEGO's Mindstorm?
