Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
Hi all One of my remaining QL tasks is to let the ITC profs remember from where the real experts/technologies are (were) coming from. Doing that I experienced the same impressions as Rick did. Once the young ITC profs hear and see what and how a QL and QDOS operated some 20 years ago they get very interessted/impressed. Eg. Our company is in a network of about 30 ITC companies. In summer 2004 the monthly First monday event was organised by me around my private QL thing. It was named The roots, the cousins, the innovations. We had a very special guest. Tim Bucher, cousin of my wife and Vice President at Apple (at that time). Both Tim and I had very personal speeches and presentations. I did some live QL demos. Eg. having 100 jobs running in parallel under SMSQ/E compared to Windows NT 4 where NT went down on that. Tim did impress us all with his inventions. My computer museum was on display with different QL systems running software. We even had a working original Macintosh from 1984. The 40 or so attandes were impressed and even today, almost 3 years later people talk about it one day or another. Some resources: http://www.computervalley. ch/website/veranstaltungen/firstmonday/020804_TimBucher.htm http://www.computervalley. ch/website/veranstaltungen/firstmonday/Foto_Gallery_Tim_Bucher.htm http://www.computervalley.ch/020804/Besuch_Tim_Bucher.pdf http://mypage.bluewin.ch/QLvsJaguar/QL.html Enjoy the Sunday...Urs Ursprüngliche Nachricht Von: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Datum: 11.02.2007 01:23 An: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Betreff: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane I just thought I'd share a recent QL experience with everybody! The company I work for is very keen on promoting personal development outside the normal boundaries at work. Think outside the box is one of the MD's catch-phrases. Anyway, as IT Manager of this company, it became my turn to organise something concerning to my field but not directly work related: so I organised a little presentation and history tour, using my collection of PCs as illustrations. People were able to have a go, play with them, run programs and generally see how computers have developed over the years. To illustrate my presentation, I used my ZX81 (the first PC I ever owned), BBC Model B, BBC Master, Spectrum+3, Amiga 1200, Z88 and of course the Sinclair QL. I was wonderful to see the amount of fun people had with these older machines, and some of the younger members of the company were really surprised at what had constituted a computer back then! It's such as shame that for many youngsters today, learning ICT (as the schools irritatingly insist on calling it) is simply learning how to use Microsoft products . . . . One of the most interesting comments was how cool the QL looked . . . it seems that well-designed retro is in ___ QL-Users Mailing List a href=http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm; target=_BLANK http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm/a ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Spare GC or SGC?
There are suppliers who make custom computer on the board 68060 systems pricipally for industry. To my untrained eye the specs look similar to the Qx) without the ISA slots. Would take away the fun of designing a new system but might simplify the problem to interfacing to aurora/ original QL motherboard and adapting QDOS and SMSQ/E to the new board. Dont know the prices of these things but there is a UK supplier at _http://www.bvm.co.uk/_ (http://www.bvm.co.uk/) Duncan Neithercut ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Spare GC or SGC?
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ah there are lots of things one could put on it. However I suspect the market does not exist for such a development. It would be great to be proved wrong. It need maybe 40 to 50 people willing to commit to spending maybe £300 to £400 each. I am happy to receive commitment emails, and then maybe it could be worth pursuing. I doubt very much if Sturat is going to be interested. I doubt if Nasta has time. .. and I wonder if I have time as well! All I could possibly do is design a pcb and build. I have no expertise (or time) to design firmware. It is probably a pipedream! Tony Have you had any replies? I for one would be interested especially if the successor card was well specced - minerva rom, decent processor 68060 amount of memory 16 MB, par port, and IDEx2 and ethernet connector, and flash memory. What else should be on the list? You are the only one so far. As I say this probably a pipedream unless a firmware writer (like Stuart H) pops up. It will need *very* sophisticated logic chips. Tony - -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFFzwrmM3RzOs8+btoRAo+kAJ9CMi5vE+slXhyahYGdnOa+6HWzZgCdE9DZ /ATgKew46Izskw2ZMvbK8Zg= =QT5B -END PGP SIGNATURE- ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Spare GC or SGC?
Well, here's number 2! Count me in! Tony Firshman wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ah there are lots of things one could put on it. However I suspect the market does not exist for such a development. It would be great to be proved wrong. It need maybe 40 to 50 people willing to commit to spending maybe £300 to £400 each. I am happy to receive commitment emails, and then maybe it could be worth pursuing. I doubt very much if Sturat is going to be interested. I doubt if Nasta has time. .. and I wonder if I have time as well! All I could possibly do is design a pcb and build. I have no expertise (or time) to design firmware. It is probably a pipedream! Tony Have you had any replies? I for one would be interested especially if the successor card was well specced - minerva rom, decent processor 68060 amount of memory 16 MB, par port, and IDEx2 and ethernet connector, and flash memory. What else should be on the list? You are the only one so far. As I say this probably a pipedream unless a firmware writer (like Stuart H) pops up. It will need *very* sophisticated logic chips. Tony - -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFFzwrmM3RzOs8+btoRAo+kAJ9CMi5vE+slXhyahYGdnOa+6HWzZgCdE9DZ /ATgKew46Izskw2ZMvbK8Zg= =QT5B -END PGP SIGNATURE- ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Rick Chagouri-Brindle [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes I just thought I'd share a recent QL experience with everybody! The company I work for is very keen on promoting personal development outside the normal boundaries at work. Think outside the box is one of the MD's catch-phrases. Anyway, as IT Manager of this company, it became my turn to organise something concerning to my field but not directly work related: so I organised a little presentation and history tour, using my collection of PCs as illustrations. People were able to have a go, play with them, run programs and generally see how computers have developed over the years. To illustrate my presentation, I used my ZX81 (the first PC I ever owned), BBC Model B, BBC Master, Spectrum+3, Amiga 1200, Z88 and of course the Sinclair QL. I was wonderful to see the amount of fun people had with these older machines, and some of the younger members of the company were really surprised at what had constituted a computer back then! It's such as shame that for many youngsters today, learning ICT (as the schools irritatingly insist on calling it) is simply learning how to use Microsoft products . . . . It is ICT because it is Information Technology across the curriculum, not just learning IT systems. We use applications that have a purpose, to produce work ... like PhotoShop and PageMaker in Graphics. At present the software investment in programming is being put into PC Applications. One of the most interesting comments was how cool the QL looked . . . it seems that well-designed retro is in Yes, the industrial design for Sinclair was cool at the time, and won many awards. It still remains cool. -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
It is ICT because it is Information Technology across the curriculum, not just learning IT systems. We use applications that have a purpose, to produce work ... like PhotoShop and PageMaker in Graphics. At present the software investment in programming is being put into PC Applications. Fair enough. Do you teach ICT then? Snap, although I am a part-time lecturer on loan from business!!! At the local college at which I teach they insist on calling it Information Communications Technology . . . hence the ICT. However, the function of ICT in a educational environment is no different from IT in a business environment . . . they are both using technology to achieve a purpose. I have no problem with software investment going into PC applications. What I find disappointing is that in many schools/colleges it is purely a Microsoft environment and that students have no concept of the history and development of ICT. That, in my view, is a real shame. Even in programming, the concentration seems to be totally on Visual Basic - with all the bad habits that gives us - without considering the huge variety of better cross-platform languages. Oh well, that's life, I guess! One of the most interesting comments was how cool the QL looked . . . it seems that well-designed retro is in Yes, the industrial design for Sinclair was cool at the time, and won many awards. It still remains cool. Indeed! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
It is ICT because it is Information Technology across the curriculum, not just learning IT systems. We use applications that have a purpose, to produce work ... like PhotoShop and PageMaker in Graphics. At present the software investment in programming is being put into PC Applications. Fair enough. Do you teach ICT then? Snap, although I am a part-time lecturer on loan from business!!! At the local college at which I teach they insist on calling it Information Communications Technology . . . hence the ICT. However, the function of ICT in a educational environment is no different from IT in a business environment . . . they are both using technology to achieve a purpose. I have no problem with software investment going into PC applications. What I find disappointing is that in many schools/colleges it is purely a Microsoft environment and that students have no concept of the history and development of ICT. That, in my view, is a real shame. Even in programming, the concentration seems to be totally on Visual Basic - with all the bad habits that gives us - without considering the huge variety of better cross-platform languages. Oh well, that's life, I guess! One of the most interesting comments was how cool the QL looked . . . it seems that well-designed retro is in Yes, the industrial design for Sinclair was cool at the time, and won many awards. It still remains cool. Indeed! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Rick Chagouri-Brindle [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes It is ICT because it is Information Technology across the curriculum, not just learning IT systems. We use applications that have a purpose, to produce work ... like PhotoShop and PageMaker in Graphics. At present the software investment in programming is being put into PC Applications. Fair enough. Do you teach ICT then? Snap, although I am a part-time lecturer on loan from business!!! At the local college at which I teach they insist on calling it Information Communications Technology . . . hence the ICT. However, the function of ICT in a educational environment is no different from IT in a business environment . . . they are both using technology to achieve a purpose. I teach Technology, in a secondary school. I hate all these pseudo titles, that come and go ... We just use the hardware and software to help achieve project work. Not forgetting, that there is just as much value in hand skills too. I have no problem with software investment going into PC applications. What I find disappointing is that in many schools/colleges it is purely a Microsoft environment and that students have no concept of the history and development of ICT. That, in my view, is a real shame. Even in programming, the concentration seems to be totally on Visual Basic - with all the bad habits that gives us - without considering the huge variety of better cross-platform languages. Oh well, that's life, I guess! Yes it is boring, but the way it is at present. My school has a Humanities specialist grant, that gives us even more M$ products, as a part of the deal. One of the most interesting comments was how cool the QL looked . . . it seems that well-designed retro is in Yes, the industrial design for Sinclair was cool at the time, and won many awards. It still remains cool. Indeed! -- Malcolm Cadman ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
Malcolm Cadman wrote: In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Rick Chagouri-Brindle [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes It is ICT because it is Information Technology across the curriculum, not just learning IT systems. We use applications that have a purpose, to produce work ... like PhotoShop and PageMaker in Graphics. At present the software investment in programming is being put into PC Applications. Fair enough. Do you teach ICT then? Snap, although I am a part-time lecturer on loan from business!!! At the local college at which I teach they insist on calling it Information Communications Technology . . . hence the ICT. However, the function of ICT in a educational environment is no different from IT in a business environment . . . they are both using technology to achieve a purpose. I teach Technology, in a secondary school. I hate all these pseudo titles, that come and go ... I couldn't agree with you more . . . there is too much emphasis at work and in education on naming things! We just use the hardware and software to help achieve project work. And why not? Well, after all, isn't this what technology is for? At times we all get too focussed on technology without purpose, I know I can be guilty of that!!! Not forgetting, that there is just as much value in hand skills too. I couldn't agree with you more. I have two young sons and the older boy, who is four ,has his own laptop, but we ensure that he mixes sitting at the computer with actually physically making things with kicking a ball around with . . . . . . . I have no problem with software investment going into PC applications. What I find disappointing is that in many schools/colleges it is purely a Microsoft environment and that students have no concept of the history and development of ICT. That, in my view, is a real shame. Even in programming, the concentration seems to be totally on Visual Basic - with all the bad habits that gives us - without considering the huge variety of better cross-platform languages. Oh well, that's life, I guess! Yes it is boring, but the way it is at present. A colleague of mine actually had a student penalised for thinking outside the box and using an alternative language - Ruby - for a project. My school has a Humanities specialist grant, that gives us even more M$ products, as a part of the deal. MS aren't stupid, are they? Actually, that reminds me. I also teach on a volunteer basis at a local pre-school. I use the term teach with this age group very loosely, but I was amazed how much these children pick up and how quickly. As part of the project, I setup and installed four PCs for them, and we installed the Edubuntu Linux variant - partly for reasons of cost, and partly because it is designed for young children. They have all taken too it so well, it is amazing. Many of the children use the machines with more confidence than some of the staff!!! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Spare GC or SGC?
Actually, on reflection, count me in for two!!! Tony Firshman wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ah there are lots of things one could put on it. However I suspect the market does not exist for such a development. It would be great to be proved wrong. It need maybe 40 to 50 people willing to commit to spending maybe £300 to £400 each. I am happy to receive commitment emails, and then maybe it could be worth pursuing. I doubt very much if Sturat is going to be interested. I doubt if Nasta has time. .. and I wonder if I have time as well! All I could possibly do is design a pcb and build. I have no expertise (or time) to design firmware. It is probably a pipedream! Tony Have you had any replies? I for one would be interested especially if the successor card was well specced - minerva rom, decent processor 68060 amount of memory 16 MB, par port, and IDEx2 and ethernet connector, and flash memory. What else should be on the list? You are the only one so far. As I say this probably a pipedream unless a firmware writer (like Stuart H) pops up. It will need *very* sophisticated logic chips. Tony - -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFFzwrmM3RzOs8+btoRAo+kAJ9CMi5vE+slXhyahYGdnOa+6HWzZgCdE9DZ /ATgKew46Izskw2ZMvbK8Zg= =QT5B -END PGP SIGNATURE- ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
Well we have the same problems at school, college and university in France... And I don't know about you all, but what I do with my son (recently 6 years old) is we are working together some computing courses. At this time we are working on ORIC with commands like : PRINT 2+3=; 2+3 SHOOT, EXPLODE or PING and so one. And he already knows how to deal properly with CLS or RUN commands. My daughter (5 years old) want to do the same when she was able to read and write. It other he have to be familiar with both the keyboard and the BASIC syntax he asking me for small listing of programs in order he typed it on ORIC. (Well it's an ATMOS as the ORIC 1 have a keyboard that is quite hard to use by childs). In a few time we will work on QL, I'm working on the restoration on his own QL. What's he true too, that is my childs sayed that QL, ORIC and Amiga computers are pretty. The PC is without this think that made these others so attractive. Finally, he prefer work on that such of old computers instead of his own PC where there is a lot of games or so but where creativity is not so easy to make in action. So I definitively agree with you when computer history should be learned at ITC or equivalent courses. Jimmy. -Message d'origine- De : [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] De la part de Rick Chagouri-Brindle Envoyé : dimanche 11 février 2007 23:28 À : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Objet : Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane It is ICT because it is Information Technology across the curriculum, not just learning IT systems. We use applications that have a purpose, to produce work ... like PhotoShop and PageMaker in Graphics. At present the software investment in programming is being put into PC Applications. Fair enough. Do you teach ICT then? Snap, although I am a part-time lecturer on loan from business!!! At the local college at which I teach they insist on calling it Information Communications Technology . . . hence the ICT. However, the function of ICT in a educational environment is no different from IT in a business environment . . . they are both using technology to achieve a purpose. I have no problem with software investment going into PC applications. What I find disappointing is that in many schools/colleges it is purely a Microsoft environment and that students have no concept of the history and development of ICT. That, in my view, is a real shame. Even in programming, the concentration seems to be totally on Visual Basic - with all the bad habits that gives us - without considering the huge variety of better cross-platform languages. Oh well, that's life, I guess! One of the most interesting comments was how cool the QL looked . . . it seems that well-designed retro is in Yes, the industrial design for Sinclair was cool at the time, and won many awards. It still remains cool. Indeed! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
QL2K wrote: Well we have the same problems at school, college and university in France... And I don't know about you all, but what I do with my son (recently 6 years old) is we are working together some computing courses. At this time we are working on ORIC with commands like : PRINT 2+3=; 2+3 SHOOT, EXPLODE or PING and so one. And he already knows how to deal properly with CLS or RUN commands. My daughter (5 years old) want to do the same when she was able to read and write. It other he have to be familiar with both the keyboard and the BASIC syntax he asking me for small listing of programs in order he typed it on ORIC. (Well it's an ATMOS as the ORIC 1 have a keyboard that is quite hard to use by childs). In a few time we will work on QL, I'm working on the restoration on his own QL. What's he true too, that is my childs sayed that QL, ORIC and Amiga computers are pretty. The PC is without this think that made these others so attractive. Finally, he prefer work on that such of old computers instead of his own PC where there is a lot of games or so but where creativity is not so easy to make in action. So I definitively agree with you when computer history should be learned at ITC or equivalent courses. Jimmy. Isn't it an interesting situation, where we find that old computers are more interesting, or more fun. My eldest son is four and he already has fun using his laptop - he can use the internet (firewall controlled of course) and run his games and education programs - but what he really wants to learn is daddy's old computers, he likes looking inside and was fascinated watching a soldering iron being used! Of course, part of it is that he is at the age where he just soaks up information, but I think more than this, it is that he wants to learn, not have everything done for him, and that is the beauty of the old computers. As soon as he can read properly - at the moment he only recognises odd words and names - I am going to follow your example to teach him basic programming. He wants to learn already . . . By the way, I used to love the ATMOS! When I was a kid, a friend had one and we had great fun with it. At the time I had a BBC B - which seemed much more serious - and then a QL (well the QL was officially my Dad's for work). ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] Spare GC or SGC?
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Malcolm Cadman wrote: snip If a new Card could hit more like the £100 to £200 price range then I believe there would be an interest, and a market for it. I doubt if it would be economic even at £200. It is likely to be pretty expensive to develop. Tony - -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFFz7GEM3RzOs8+btoRArtjAJ45chd7eLndO2vDJFc4lsInS/tU+QCggA8s eJL6d2062LIpvO+EYjpxVIA= =wzyy -END PGP SIGNATURE- ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Rick Chagouri-Brindle wrote: Actually, that reminds me. I also teach on a volunteer basis at a local pre-school. I use the term teach with this age group very loosely, but I was amazed how much these children pick up and how quickly. As part of the project, I setup and installed four PCs for them, and we installed the Edubuntu Linux variant - partly for reasons of cost, and partly because it is designed for young children. They have all taken too it so well, it is amazing. Many of the children use the machines with more confidence than some of the staff!!! Of course they do. Ben at age 8 became the password holder and controller of the classes computer. He kept on correcting the teacher and helping her - so she passed responsibilty! It is still happening now. He has given up A level computing because the teacher knows less than him. Tony - -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:252/67) +44(0)1442-828255 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFFz7KXM3RzOs8+btoRAmqnAJ9P39JRM4NBkPW4wVndP7ua2dOIBQCdFyc1 qgb42XI/ybO2fcJwSjzl2Pg= =pfJk -END PGP SIGNATURE- ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
As an example of variety, I'll mention my confuser (computer :-) room: Three Macs (two of them laptops), two PCs (One 733, the other 133[!], a custom build long ago), and several QLs (many still in styrofoam boxes; one somewhat working). Yes, internet connectivity for four of the above. All as old as about 1999 or farther back, with OS's as old as 98SE or QDOS, or as recent as SuSE 10.x and Mac OS 10.3 . The Macs e.g. have been an education. My life? What life? I have no life. O insuportable! O heavy hour!--Apologies to Messrs. Bill the Bard and Othello. Actually, I _do_ have a life outside computers. Doug L. 37830 -Original Message- From: Rick Chagouri-Brindle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Feb 11, 2007 6:22 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane Malcolm Cadman wrote: In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], Rick Chagouri-Brindle [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes Not forgetting, that there is just as much value in hand skills too. I couldn't agree with you more. I have two young sons and the older boy, who is four ,has his own laptop, but we ensure that he mixes sitting at the computer with actually physically making things with kicking a ball around with . . . . . . . I have no problem with software investment going into PC applications. What I find disappointing is that in many schools/colleges it is purely a Microsoft environment and that students have no concept of the history and development of ICT. That, in my view, is a real shame. Even in programming, the concentration seems to be totally on Visual Basic - with all the bad habits that gives us - without considering the huge variety of better cross-platform languages. Oh well, that's life, I guess! Yes it is boring, but the way it is at present. A colleague of mine actually had a student penalised for thinking outside the box and using an alternative language - Ruby - for a project. My school has a Humanities specialist grant, that gives us even more M$ products, as a part of the deal. MS aren't stupid, are they? Actually, that reminds me. I also teach on a volunteer basis at a local pre-school. I use the term teach with this age group very loosely, but I was amazed how much these children pick up and how quickly. As part of the project, I setup and installed four PCs for them, and we installed the Edubuntu Linux variant - partly for reasons of cost, and partly because it is designed for young children. They have all taken too it so well, it is amazing. Many of the children use the machines with more confidence than some of the staff!!! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
Tony Firshman wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Rick Chagouri-Brindle wrote: Actually, that reminds me. I also teach on a volunteer basis at a local pre-school. I use the term teach with this age group very loosely, but I was amazed how much these children pick up and how quickly. As part of the project, I setup and installed four PCs for them, and we installed the Edubuntu Linux variant - partly for reasons of cost, and partly because it is designed for young children. They have all taken too it so well, it is amazing. Many of the children use the machines with more confidence than some of the staff!!! Of course they do. Ben at age 8 became the password holder and controller of the classes computer. He kept on correcting the teacher and helping her - so she passed responsibilty! It is still happening now. He has given up A level computing because the teacher knows less than him. My nephew was in a similar situation . . . in the end he got so fed up and dispirited. Oh well, at least I was able to introduce him to the weird and wonderful machines although he found my ZX81 amusing to say the least!!! ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [ql-users] A QL Trip Down Memory Lane
extdgl42 wrote: As an example of variety, I'll mention my confuser (computer :-) room: Three Macs (two of them laptops), two PCs (One 733, the other 133[!], a custom build long ago), and several QLs (many still in styrofoam boxes; one somewhat working). Yes, internet connectivity for four of the above. All as old as about 1999 or farther back, with OS's as old as 98SE or QDOS, or as recent as SuSE 10.x and Mac OS 10.3 . The Macs e.g. have been an education. I think exposing the younger generation to earlier machines is a wonderful way of reigniting waning enthusiasm. My nephews thoroughly enjoy playing on the earlier micros, and they love the QL in particular . . . it just looks so cool (in their words). My life? What life? I have no life. O insuportable! O heavy hour!--Apologies to Messrs. Bill the Bard and Othello. Actually, I _do_ have a life outside computers. Doug L. 37830 -Original Message- ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
