[OT] RE: Microsoft removes Netscape support from IE; plug-in needsre-writing.

Edwin Pilobello edwinp13 at home.com
Thu Jul 26 21:57:03 UTC 2001


Alright Jeff!  Say it for Mac OS X!  Someone's got to say something for the
hands-down choice for techno-phobe teachers of our kids.  I got back into
Mac because I had to teach ROBOLAB for a "Talented and Gifted" class at an
Oregon Elementary School.  I had always required "PC Labs" and they said
they had PC's so the contract was signed.  I kinda walked right into the
iMacs.  I asked the "Tech Teacher" for a little help and she said, "I don't
know.  I just turn the things on and they just always work."  After learning
how to stick an installation CD into the iMacs, I was re-converted.  I have
since dumped my Unix toolbelt.  I gained a much better appreciation for
transparent technology that instant.  (Jeff, please see P.S. below.)

As for C/C++ development ... after the College Board switches to and ETS
begins testing in JAVA in 2003, I think the pool of C++ programmer wannabes
might dry up a bit.  Besides, the AP CS A & AB Courses which employ C++ may
already be discouraging more kids to reject programming as a career.  You
can check out the Course Description at
www.collegeboard.org/ap/computer-science/ .  IMO, it's a cram-it-down and
puke-it-out course.  I highly doubt any of the students can honestly think
they are able to sell themselves a programmers even after passing the AP
Exams.

:-)   edwin


P.S. - Jeff, I checked out your web site.  Maybe you can help me with some
ideas and if you do, start another thread, would you please?  I'm
volunteered with a small project at the Washington State School for the Deaf
here in Vancouver.  We're going to create a high-tech "visual" via back-lit
video screens and synchronizing colored christmas lights (positioned all
over) for the students to dance to.  I wish I knew enough SQUEAK to use it.
I'm using Terrapin Logo on their iMacs.  Just working with the teacher right
now teaching her LOGO so she can teach the kids how to use the MIDI stuff.
So we are quite a ways from the final goal.  Anyway, if you can URL me to
anything that would help, i.e. digital/analog controllers and interfaces
specially.

I was going to spend more time with SQUEAK this summer, but instead, I got
detoured.  I was asked to eval and spec out an after-school offering that
would prepare kids to take the AP-COMPSCI A & AB exams.  My proposal
requires a SQUEAK or LOGO pre-requisite.  The way the College Board has the
AP-COMPSCI Course outlined, makes me wonder why it's even taught.  Imagine a
pedagogy explaining *void* or any of the C++ syntax bombs to a teenager.  My
idea of teaching C is to those who already know how to program, not as a
foundation course!


-----Original Message-----
From: squeak-dev-admin at lists.squeakfoundation.org
[mailto:squeak-dev-admin at lists.squeakfoundation.org]On Behalf Of Jeff
Szuhay
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 1:40 PM
To: squeak-dev at lists.squeakfoundation.org
Subject: RE: [OT] RE: Microsoft removes Netscape support from IE;
plug-in needsre-writing.


In your hypothetical progression of events, you completely
missed/left out Mac OS X. This, along with Unix, has M$ a
bit paranoid (moreso than ever).

>- Developers revert to development using C/C++ (some are
>smart and choose Squeak) and seek cross platform solutions

For what? What's the progress on "double clickable apps"
with Squeak?

Who is shipping apps based on Squeak? (and making any money
from it?)

Windows will have a lot of momentum simply because everybody
is making so much money off the dupes who bought into the
whole slop. For any really successful software, somebody's
got to be able to make a living from it.

Jeff Sz.


--
   **************************************************
   Jeff Szuhay              A randomly-directed
   www.szuhay.org           chaotical wetware pattern
   jeff at szuhay.org          recognizer/generator.


   Of course, when reading or listening to many modern-
   day speakers, we have to be careful not to pay too much
   attention to empty words, for words don't mean a thing
   unless accompanied by deeds that match them.

   With professional speechwriters in tow, it is easy to
   sing lofty words while acting contrarily.
    -- Anu








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