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Ask HN: Whats the modern day equivalent of 80s computer for kids to explore?

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Re: Ask HN: Whats the modern day equivalent of 80s computer for kids to explore?

#111

Post by askvictor »

tmaly wrote: post #94

I think the Microbit is a nice starting point for kids 10-11. You can code it with block programming, Python, or Javascript in the MS Makecode interface. If you have two Microbits, they can talk to each other over the built in radio. I have created my own remote control lego robot with two microbits, a breakout board, and two micro servos. I think there are over 25 million units sold all over the world.

This. It's much more immediate and 'real' than anything with an operating system (like the Rpi), which are layers upon layers of abstractions.

Re: Ask HN: Whats the modern day equivalent of 80s computer for kids to explore?

#112

Post by pests »

Grimburger wrote: post #38
talkingtab wrote: post #27

A Rasberry Pi. The number of things you can do with these cheap computers is astronomical. You can have a Debian Linux computer and then learn networking, programming, run your own small website. Then start on hardware. Connect up various hardware devices, maybe starting with just a fan. Turn on. Turn off. A second monitor, larger disks. Webrtc. On an on. You never know what kinds of things kids will like. They may l…

A pi by itself, eh I don't know. A pi + a full kit like breadboard/cables, LCD/LED display panels, camera, microphone/speaker, air sensors, IR sensors, gyros, etc. Now that's got a chance. It's certainly not going to be for all kids but for those with an inquisitive mind once you set them up and show how to display output in various ways they will start to see the potential. From there you can move onto basic rc hobb…

I agree. PI by itself is boring. You plug it in and you have... a shitty desktop.

Need some sensors and associated electronics or just drop down a level to an arduino so theres no OS baggage and things are less magical.

Re: Ask HN: Whats the modern day equivalent of 80s computer for kids to explore?

#113

Post by winddude »

windows xp time wiseish, but don't do it.

I'd spin them up ubuntu on a newish PC or raspberry pi, let them install the packages in the terminal, steam, etc. Or experiment with some dev, and things they seem interested in. I think there are some very cool robotics kits for the pi that introduce them to a lot of things

Re: Ask HN: Whats the modern day equivalent of 80s computer for kids to explore?

#114

Post by seanthemon »

f1shy wrote: post #67
Taikonerd wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This, unfortunately, is the truth. But that begs the question: what are 11-year-old computer nerds doing now? Modding games? Building complicated machines in Minecraft?

There are lots of things to do. Lots of programming things mixed with other domains like music. Just one example: https://sonic-pi.net/tutorial.html There are tones of SBC, plus arduino. Calliope and others. Scratch for little kids, lego mindstorms. I know boys between 11 and 13 learning Python, programming some simple games. There are also lots of robots and HW. What there is not (or I do not know it) is something l…

Frankly what you're asking for in your last sentence is just a Pi

Re: Ask HN: Whats the modern day equivalent of 80s computer for kids to explore?

#115

Post by lying4fun »

rapjr9 wrote: post #87

A music synthesizer. It's a pathway to learning electronics, music, and the nature of sound. There are cheap kits, cheap synths, lots of kinds of synths, and there are much more complicated and expensive systems you can grow into. You can get software synths also, VCV Rack is a free though complex one: https://vcvrack.com/ However I'd recommend an inexpensive hardware one with real knobs you can turn, like one of the…

I highly recommend checking out this collective, they seem to be at the intersection of things you suggested

https://www.uva.co.uk/

Re: Ask HN: Whats the modern day equivalent of 80s computer for kids to explore?

#116

Post by trevcanhuman »

sys_64738 wrote: post #21

Computers were the most technically advanced and innovative thing a kid would see in the 80s. All their friends at school would be talking about them in some form or another. There was no distractions with smartphones or the internet either. Not so much nowadays so those times are gone.

I wonder if there is an equivalent technology or 'activity' from the 80s as addictive and individual as social media.

As a GenZ human myself, I can't really imagine that much of a life without the Internet. In recent months, I've tried to adopt a less-internet lifestyle, such as reading, doing exercise, etcetera. But I still look back and think: if I hadn't had so much time to use a computer and the internet, I never would have discovered my passion (programming). I also get into a vicious cycle when learning new things: I don't commit to anything. (just Linux afaik) There's just so many technologies, stacks coming out, plenty of things, endless things to learn about that I never really wrap my head around what to really learn and dedicate to. But I guess that's more of a general opinion on learning things, not necessarily exclusive of recent technology.

Re: Ask HN: Whats the modern day equivalent of 80s computer for kids to explore?

#118

Post by a-dub »

a-dub wrote: post #117

setting up a private minecraft server (or similar) on digitalocean or a rpi? making goofy python scripts? pygame? style transfer for voice on google colab? various adafruit projects with microcontrollers or rpis? langchain and similar?

if they're musically inclined, cycling 74 or puredata?

openframeworks, libcinder, processing and similar?

various robotics kits: drones, cars, "bring your own control" type things?

Re: Ask HN: Whats the modern day equivalent of 80s computer for kids to explore?

#119

Post by dave333 »

Grimburger wrote: post #38
talkingtab wrote: post #27

A Rasberry Pi. The number of things you can do with these cheap computers is astronomical. You can have a Debian Linux computer and then learn networking, programming, run your own small website. Then start on hardware. Connect up various hardware devices, maybe starting with just a fan. Turn on. Turn off. A second monitor, larger disks. Webrtc. On an on. You never know what kinds of things kids will like. They may l…

A pi by itself, eh I don't know. A pi + a full kit like breadboard/cables, LCD/LED display panels, camera, microphone/speaker, air sensors, IR sensors, gyros, etc. Now that's got a chance. It's certainly not going to be for all kids but for those with an inquisitive mind once you set them up and show how to display output in various ways they will start to see the potential. From there you can move onto basic rc hobb…

Agree - you need a book that shows you how to get started and do a bunch of fun projects - there are some available as Kindle unlimited books:

https://www.amazon.com/Fun-projects-Raspberry-Pi-everything-...

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