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Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

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Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#231

Post by rufus_foreman »

The Apple ][ wasn't a kid's computer, it was a computer that kids could understand because the technology was relatively primitive.

Same with the C-64. I had a C-64 (one of my stepdads had a ][ but it wasn't "mine") and I had a book that told me what every memory location was used for in a C-64. It wasn't a kid's computer, it was a computer that a kid could still comprehend fully.

I don't know what to tell you. That world is gone. You can give your kids toys but that's not what that was.

Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#232

Post by ido »

tmaly wrote: post #219
billziss wrote: post #8

I had a similar problem a few years ago. While I never found the perfect machine here is how I have been introducing my now 10 year old son to the world of computers: - I bought him a Kano computer kit when he was about 7. The kit retailed for about $250 at the time and a kid could assemble it "like LEGO". It came with educational software that introduced him to programming languages, etc. (Unfortunately I do not thi…

I introduced my daughter to ScratchJr when she was 5 and Scratch when she was 7. I taught her class Scratch. It does make a big difference which language you start with. I think how much you are involved with your child’s learning make also is a big part of the success. I introduced her to MakeCode at 8 and we used the microbit to build a robot with legos and servos. This project was such a hit that her principal ask…

Is scratchjr only available on ios/android? Not on pc/mac?

Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#233

Post by ddingus »

buescher wrote: post #182
ddingus wrote: post #179

Well, you could just get an Apple. New plus boards are being made, the cards you need are available. Mine is equipped with: 80 Col / mem expansion to 128K Fast Chip for some speed, up to 16Mhz (which is crazy fast on most software designed for 1Mhz) HDMI output device, VidHD card. This thing is GREAT. CFFA / USB Flash disk solution for loading programs, disk images, etc... My younger granddaughter enjoys the machine.…

A IIgs with an accelerator card, maxed out memory, and solid state storage would really fit the bill, wouldn't it? You could run Apple Logo AND Hypercard. Or maybe one of the macs that took an Apple IIe card, same thing only different.

That is my next machine to build up.

Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#234

Post by markus_zhang »

ddingus wrote: post #230
markus_zhang wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks a lot. Do you have a link to get all of the components? Would be nice if I don't need to solder anything. BTW found reactivemicro. $340 for a fully assembled board looks fine to me. Not sure where to find other components you mentioned but I'll keep looking.

I just saw this. Will link over the weekend.

Thanks man~~

Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#235

Post by qq66 »

ilaksh wrote: post #218

There are plenty of open-ended games or programs for iPads or Android tablets. For example, try searching for BASIC, or LOGO. You obviously did not try.

I searched quite a bit. None of the LOGOs available today are as easy to use for a 5 year old as the Apple II version was for me. #1 reason is that 5 is still young to use a mouse effectively, so a keyboard UI is much more functional.

Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#236

Post by dim13 »

em500 wrote: post #84
foobarian wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is super depressing. What do we do? Firewall all the things at the house and get rid of tablets/phones?

Don't be depressed. In due time, our kids will complain about their kids zombie-ing out in the metaverse all day, whereas back in their days, they were actively creating memes and dance videos, modding minecraft worlds, and occasionally even had to read entire paragraphs of text.

That's what I usually say: my grandchildren will revenge me.

Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#237

Post by dim13 »

rufus_foreman wrote: post #231

The Apple ][ wasn't a kid's computer, it was a computer that kids could understand because the technology was relatively primitive. Same with the C-64. I had a C-64 (one of my stepdads had a ][ but it wasn't "mine") and I had a book that told me what every memory location was used for in a C-64. It wasn't a kid's computer, it was a computer that a kid could still comprehend fully. I don't know what to tell you. That…

Would also add, that the point, when even well educated adult can comprehend in toto, how computer "works" now, is long passed by. It's way too complicated software, hardware and distributed networks wise.

Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#238

Post by ddingus »

markus_zhang wrote: post #202
ddingus wrote: post #183

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is true! Getting control over the pixels was a big deal back then. Doing anything interactive was magic!! My own kids were not interested in computing itself. They largely ignored my retro systems. They loved MAME though. I had a great setup with a big CRT and they played the crap out of it, that setup competing nicely with a Playstation. This surprised me. My granddaughter is a bit different. She's interested,…

They say grand children are like their grand parents, guess there is some truth in it.

There was truth to it in my family.

I had a great affinity for my GPs

Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#239

Post by ddingus »

markus_zhang wrote: post #234
ddingus wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just saw this. Will link over the weekend.

Thanks man~~

https://www.callapple.org/tag/vidhd/

You have to email order that one. Worth it. I am super pleased to have HDMI. This card gets the subtle details right. Few others do.

But, you can get a nice CRT TV too. Apples look great either way.

http://www.a2heaven.com/webshop/index.php?rt=product/product...

Ask him for a 65816 version, if you want the better CPU and may program for it. Real time speed control. Goes from below 1mhz to a little over 16! I run at 4 an awful lot.

https://applerescueofdenver.com/products-page/apple-ii/cards...

Apple Rescue is special. You may get a full computer from them. Check in and inquire. I got my //e from them. Nice folks.

https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/cffa-v1-0-rev-c-rm-for...

Not cheap, and none of this is. Best modern flash storage solution. Others include the Booti. These come and go.

https://finapple.hho.fi/finapple/index.php/category/msx/

I just got one of these. Have the Z80 piece, have the MSX, Colecovision, Sega game add on coming.

I do not have a sound card yet. I kind of like the standard bloops and beeps from the 1 bit speaker, lol

The card you want for sound is some clone of the mockingboard.

Have fun!

Someone here mentioned a GS. Building one of those up can be just as fun.

I am partial to the //e myself.

One thing to note: when this stuff becomes available, buy. It comes and goes.

I have been chipping away at my 8 bit workstation for a decade. Now is a great time. Soon, that time will pass.

Expect to spend $1k or so. That is about my spend over some time. I like to get a card, and enjoy it, then get another one... no rush.

Re: Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?

#240

Post by ddingus »

joezydeco wrote: post #194
ddingus wrote: post #184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Roblox is crazy! I have one very interested, and I feel it's worth doing. But, I'm way out of the loop on that one, meaning it's a time sink for me too. But, maybe I just have to. Very interesting comment!

If your kid has the interest, they will teach themselves. That's the magic of the 'kids computer' we all get nostalgic for. Nobody taught us how to work with an Apple ][ or C64, we picked it up from books and from friends. These days the online resources are lightyears better. I say let them explore and they will find their own path. You can't force this on someone and expect them to succeed.

No plans to force anything. She comes to me. Great. We have fun.
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