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Read other letters about this article
Richard Gunderson wrote the letter I would have.
Thanks, Richard.
I'll add this: Most languages today are about *programming Windows* (or the Mac interface) rather than *programming a computer.* There are so many abstractions between you and the computer, so many "favors" done for you, that you never get in there and learn about the machine.
Getting interesting and useful things done in BASIC means going past the traditional, familiar commands and learning how to use peeks and pokes to interact with the hardware. It doesn't matter that the machine is obsolete or a toy. The process of learning is the goal.
I've been following Dr. Brin's quixotic battle for BASIC for a few years now. Every discussion on the topic I've seen, including this letters-thread, plays out the same way. Virtually every one in them manages to miss the point.
I applaud Ben Brin's solution to the problem. If he and Dr. Brin dig around in thrift stores they will find PILES of books on programming the C-64.
Stefan Jones
