Re:BBC gives children mini-computers in Make it Digital scheme
by rbanffy on Thursday March 12, 2015 @08:38AM
(#9190343)
I remember in the 80's there was a strong appeal to "learn computing" - computers were the future and soon you wouldn't be able to find a job if you didn't know how to use one. That was a major driver behind the purchase of personal computers. It was how I convinced my mom and aunt to get me an Apple II clone for my 15th birthday.
At that time, the emotional ROI was higher - in a couple days you could write a game almost as good as Namco's Pac Man port (audio on the II was a bitch, however). Today, a commercial game consumes usually multiple millions of dollars and teams of dozens of multi-disciplinary professionals. All but casual games are mostly beyond the grasp of a kid learning to program.
Not only we need cheap, simple, computers, but we need something that entices kids to program. What will they want to build?
At that time, the emotional ROI was higher - in a couple days you could write a game almost as good as Namco's Pac Man port (audio on the II was a bitch, however). Today, a commercial game consumes usually multiple millions of dollars and teams of dozens of multi-disciplinary professionals. All but casual games are mostly beyond the grasp of a kid learning to program.
Not only we need cheap, simple, computers, but we need something that entices kids to program. What will they want to build?