I come from a similar background. I started with BASIC, moved briefly through QBASIC to Borland C++. I also learned programming through making games (before I h

I come from a similar background. I started with BASIC, moved briefly through QBASIC to Borland C++. I also learned programming through making games (before I had access to the web too)! Yet... I don't have the same reaction to these tools that you do. I've been trying to get our kids interest in programming, and the most successful attempt yet was using an iPad app called Hopscotch - a drag-and-drop language that's severely restricted. My next step is to try and get them using Unity3D. I'm not sure if C# is the way to go, but maybe it doesn't matter. What's most important is motivation! It has to be fun, and accessible. These basic languages are a way to suck people in who otherwise might have passed over programming completely.