On 04/06/20 9:46 pm, Sean DeNigris wrote:
> I believe that the Squeak/Pharo/Cuis communit(ies) share one very
> special thing, which most of the world has completely missed, and
> which the world sorely needs if the true power of computing to
> unleash and evolve the human mind is ever to be realized: a love and
> appreciation for personal technological augmentation/amplification
> available to all as represented by the Dynabook and/or its prototype
> software (Smalltalk as a concept, not any version/implementation e.g.
> Smalltalk-80).

+1000! Thank you, Sean, for stepping up.

Dynabook, as a model for a personal computing "machine" [1], was far 
ahead of its time. For a machine to be used for personal purposes, it 
has to be affordable and adaptable. It has taken technology a long time 
to become affordable across the globe but I believe we have crossed that 
threshold now.

What makes such a machine valuable is the triplet model x people x 
purpose. I see Smalltalk as a model (objects, messages, persistent state 
etc.) while realized machines like ST-80, Squeak, Pharo, Cuis caters to 
different sets of people using it for different purposes. Each one is 
valuable when we consider the entire triple. Ambulances may constitute a 
tiny fraction of automobiles, but they serve a valuable role. People may 
sneer at bullock carts, but they continue to serve a valuable role in 
India (search web for "bullock cart sona towers" for a fascinating story 
;-)).

The Smalltalk model is now sufficiently validated for it to deserve its 
own Foundation/Society/Association. It will be good for all makers to 
come together to promote wider adoption of this model for different sets 
of people and purposes.

[1] I use the word machine in its original sense of "easing or 
amplifying effort". While machine has connotations of tangible 
components for old timers, the current generation moves seamlessly 
between using hard machines like keyboard and "soft" machines like WIMP, 
particularly when working with personal machines like Etoys.

Regards .. Subbu