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Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

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Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#21

Post by lucasjake »

nbashaw wrote: post #10

True, our kids won't grow up hacking the same systems we did, just like we didn't grow up hacking the same systems as our parents. But there is something basic to the human spirit that guarantees as long as this branch of the gene pool is still around, we'll still tinker and build and create. It's just that the blocks are constantly changing. Which keeps things interesting, and is a good thing.

Exactly. The end of the PC era doesn't give rise to the 'iPad era,' it gives rise to Ubiquitous computing, and Apple knows this.

The trajectory goes: mainframe: one computer, many people personal computer: one computer, one person ubiquitous computing: many computers to many people

If anything, people are going to be programming the shit out of everything in the future, not pulling back.

Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#22

Post by marbu »

fleitz wrote: post #4

I'm not. Just port a basic interpreter to iPad, or write Logo for iPad. No one begets the fact that computers come preassembled now and no one needs to learn how to solder to have a computer. Imagine a basic interpreter that DOESN'T lose everything you typed in when you turn off your computer. The opportunities iPad enables far outweighs the cost of having to learn to program to use your computer. iPad will get more…

I agree that the device offers many opportunities. Nevertheless it's not just about porting some interpreter, you also have to deal with apple policy which is not that friendly to such ideas. See for example how Scratch was rejected last year: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/apple-scratch-app/.

Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#23

Post by comex »

There are multiple BASIC and Scheme interpreters in the App Store, as well as apps for writing HTML documents. If you want to write proper apps, an iOS developer certificate costs money, but so did Visual Basic back in the day, and on Android or a jailbroken iPhone it's free.

Post-PC devices are inherently bad for programming because they don't have proper keyboards, but by the same token you'll likely have access to a keyboarded computer to do homework on, at least until someone invents a new input method that's better for both. (Nuance dictation for code, anyone?)

Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#24

Post by abuzzooz »

Not sure if the Lego example is a good one. Lego has been available for over 60 years, and still going strong. According to his website, the OP is 18 years old. If his fears had any basis, then Lego would have disappeared way before he was born.

Another important point is that our experiences shape us in specific ways. Our kids' experiences will shape them differently. Having iPads does not make them any less inventive or curious. It's just that we can not imagine, today, what they will think of in the future.

Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#25

Post by reemrevnivek »

fleitz wrote: post #4

I'm not. Just port a basic interpreter to iPad, or write Logo for iPad. No one begets the fact that computers come preassembled now and no one needs to learn how to solder to have a computer. Imagine a basic interpreter that DOESN'T lose everything you typed in when you turn off your computer. The opportunities iPad enables far outweighs the cost of having to learn to program to use your computer. iPad will get more…

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Apple's TOS have some significant restrictions on running interpreters. Some have been allowed, though.

For more information, see Section 3.3.2 of the iOS App Store Review Guidelines, and the following posts on lua-list:

http://lua-list.2524044.n2.nabble.com/Ok-Apple-has-released-...

http://lua-list.2524044.n2.nabble.com/Lua-on-iOS-again-was-p...

http://lua-list.2524044.n2.nabble.com/iLuaBox-Now-Available-...

Also, s/begets/regrets/

Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#26

Post by william42 »

marbu wrote: post #22
fleitz wrote: post #4

I'm not. Just port a basic interpreter to iPad, or write Logo for iPad. No one begets the fact that computers come preassembled now and no one needs to learn how to solder to have a computer. Imagine a basic interpreter that DOESN'T lose everything you typed in when you turn off your computer. The opportunities iPad enables far outweighs the cost of having to learn to program to use your computer. iPad will get more…

I agree that the device offers many opportunities. Nevertheless it's not just about porting some interpreter, you also have to deal with apple policy which is not that friendly to such ideas. See for example how Scratch was rejected last year: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/apple-scratch-app/ .

Apple doesn't control the Internet, and while HTML5 has its own limitations, you could still probably port Logo to it, especially since Logo isn't all that complicated.

Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#27

Post by bigiain »

nbashaw wrote: post #10

True, our kids won't grow up hacking the same systems we did, just like we didn't grow up hacking the same systems as our parents. But there is something basic to the human spirit that guarantees as long as this branch of the gene pool is still around, we'll still tinker and build and create. It's just that the blocks are constantly changing. Which keeps things interesting, and is a good thing.

Yep, the more things change, the more they stay the same...

When I was a kid, you could but germanium diodes and ferrite core coils, and make yourself a crystal radio - it was _magic!_

But...

There was no way I could have gotten hold of something like an Arduino - probably not for _any_ sort of money, never mind the sort of budget kids birthday or Xmas presents run to...

The same with a lot of other stuff, I had to wait till my first paper round job to be able to save up enough money to buy the ~$200 (in 1982 dollars) radio control gear before I could build an rc plane. These days that's $24 or so delivered from China...

I remember playing with my fatyer's grandfathers predecessor to Meccano, stone building blocks with pressed steel girders. I suspect children today probably look on historical toys like lego with similar charm/disdain...

Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#28

Post by netmute »

You may be 18, but you sound like an ignorant old man. "Back in my day, we wrote our own BASIC programs! That's how we got good!"

There will be new and unexpected ways to create and tinker with technology. Don't give in to the "old man thinking", change is good.

Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#29

Post by timwiseman »

HappySushiCo wrote: post #3

The writer makes the wrong assumption that the current mobile devices (e.g. iPad) will never have the creation tools that the previous generations of computer have had. IMHO, it's only a matter of time. And in the same vein it's never been more accessible to build something better than what's out there and get it out to the public.

I think that may be a fairly safe assumption. The very form factor of the Ipad and tables in their current incarnation makes them poorly suited for most types of content creation.

However, among content producers tablets supplement rather than replace other form factors of computers for the time being.

Also, docking stations are likely to improve and become more common. A future tablet which would be more powerful than current generations with a solid docking station that would support a full keyboard, mouse and second monitor is a standard computer with the ability to undock it temporarily when not doing real content creation...

Re: Why I’m scared of the post-PC era.

#30

Post by 5hoom »

lucasjake wrote: post #21
nbashaw wrote: post #10

True, our kids won't grow up hacking the same systems we did, just like we didn't grow up hacking the same systems as our parents. But there is something basic to the human spirit that guarantees as long as this branch of the gene pool is still around, we'll still tinker and build and create. It's just that the blocks are constantly changing. Which keeps things interesting, and is a good thing.

Exactly. The end of the PC era doesn't give rise to the 'iPad era,' it gives rise to Ubiquitous computing, and Apple knows this. The trajectory goes: mainframe: one computer, many people personal computer: one computer, one person ubiquitous computing: many computers to many people If anything, people are going to be programming the shit out of everything in the future, not pulling back.

Agreed 100%.

Someone, somewhere will have to program all these wonderful gadgets.

While it is conceivable that all development will occur only inside big mega-corps, I somehow doubt it. People have a voracious appetite for new content.

Smart money is on the tools to create new stuff becoming more widespread, not less.

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