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> We have a strict "no devices in bedrooms" for our kids (who are currently nine). Have you considered maybe going "old school" with the devices? Like, get the

by cr0sh 8y ago

> We have a strict "no devices in bedrooms" for our kids (who are currently nine). Have you considered maybe going "old school" with the devices? Like, get them an old home computer (Apple, C64, TRS-80, etc), with all the trimmings, and let them play with that? Or get one of the "newer" retro computing platforms (which you may have to assemble yourself) - such as this one: https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/december2015_Weston https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/december2015_West... ...and let them learn with that? Even an Arduino or RasPi could work; basically, give them a platform where if they want to do anything - they have to learn to do it themselves. Maybe that's just my nostalgia and naivete being channelled. I grew up in the 1980s with a home computer plugged into my TV in my bedroom (and later got a modem and phone). There was something special about it; I wish today's kids could experience the fun and sense of discovery that made it that way.

ceejayoz 8y ago
> Have you considered maybe going "old school" with the devices? I have, but I've largely dismissed the idea. When I tinkered with an Apple II, it was top of the line - Oregon Trail was amaaaaaazing. I didn't have stuff from three decades into the future to compare it to. My kids know powerful, easy to use computing devices exist, so building an animation in Logo or something isn't compelling. They use their iPhones and Xbox daily to do cool, tinkery things - my son builds complex circuits in Minecraft, for example. I experienced the "back in my day" thing with my dad a bit - he wanted me to learn to take apart engines, and it took a while for him to realize I was doing the same with code. I think a lot of folks are doing that now with the next generation and modern devices - missing the point. Chances are they're doing something creative with it, even if it's not the same creative thing we were.
tomjen3 8y ago
Honestly kids could get most of that with a reasonably priced PC and no (or extremely limited) internet access.

by cr0sh 8y ago

ceejayoz 8y ago

> Have you considered maybe going "old school" with the devices? I have, but I've largely dismissed the idea. When I tinkered with an Apple II, it was top of the line - Oregon Trail was amaaaaaazing. I didn't have stuff from three decades into the future to compare it to. My kids know powerful, easy to use computing devices exist, so building an animation in Logo or something isn't compelling. They use their iPhones and Xbox daily to do cool, tinkery things - my son builds complex circuits in Minecraft, for example. I experienced the "back in my day" thing with my dad a bit - he wanted me to learn to take apart engines, and it took a while for him to realize I was doing the same with code. I think a lot of folks are doing that now with the next generation and modern devices - missing the point. Chances are they're doing something creative with it, even if it's not the same creative thing we were.

tomjen3 8y ago

Honestly kids could get most of that with a reasonably priced PC and no (or extremely limited) internet access.