[Newbies] Software computer

[Offray Vladimir Luna Cárdenas]

Hi Subbukk,

The idea of software computer reminds me a lot of the history of Squeak 
and the idea to manage complexity by the creation of virtual computers 
that can work together. Also remind me the idea of giving computer 
support to the creative spirit inside everyone of us, so Squeak is some 
kind of metamedium (text, music, graphics, animation, video) and needs 
to do everything that you can do with a computers.

Sound nice to me :),

Cheers,

Offray

subbukk escribió:
> Hi,
>
> When trying to explain the Squeak 'image' file to young learners and non-tech 
> friends, the term 'software computer' popped into my mind. Squeak allows one 
> to create a 'software computer' that holds text, sounds and pictures. It is a 
> computer that you can carry along on a floppy, hard-disk or USB flash memory.
>
> Just as we use microscope to look into minute stuff, we use a physical 
> computer (and squeak vm) to look into our software computer and make changes 
> to it. The computer can be used to record sounds, make drawings, access 
> web-sites or chat with others and so on. This computer can even hang or crash 
> like a physical computer :-). But unlike physical machines, perfect copies 
> (images) are easy to make and share with friends. If the computer breaks 
> down, you can send it for 'repairs' over email while continuing to work on a 
> older copy. One can create potentially infinite varieties of copies without 
> worrying about hazardous waste or recycling. Each copy will be a 'perfect 
> image' and we dont have to worry about loose nuts or bolts :-).
>
> I tried this metaphor on some (unsuspecting) folks and they could get it 
> faster than when I used the book or toy metaphor.  One can't crash a book by 
> coloring it, for instance, so they dont see a need to snapshot an image 
> often. For most people, "toys" are not for serious work, while Squeak can be 
> used to produce serious essays or music too.
>
> Is the metaphor appropriate?
> Subbu
> _______________________________________________
> Beginners mailing list
> Beginners at lists.squeakfoundation.org
> http://lists.squeakfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/beginners
>
>