[Coco] Thoughts on modern computers (sort of off topic)

Tue Jan 31 13:30:15 EST 2012

This is my exact point.  While the programming languages of today are much
more powerful, and you can build a really nice looking application with
them, getting something that you can say put on a thumb drive and take over
to a buddies house and show them what you did, is painful if you do not
really know what you are doing.  Sure you can look things up on the
internet, but really what information do you really gain?  Most of the
"getting started" tutorials only take you to the most rudimentary use of
the languages, and very few would walk you through creating something like
a simple check book manager.

Look back at the old computer magazines... like Rainbow.  They were filled
with the source for truly useful programs, that you could enter into the
CoCo, run and use.  As you became more familiar with things, you could even
modify the programs to fit you needs.  With the C variants, Java, and what
not, I do not even think this would be possible.  Can you imagine
publishing the source code in a magazine today for something as simple as a
home inventory program?

On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 1:18 PM, Wayne Campbell <asa.rand at gmail.com> wrote:

> Then there are people like me. I am proficient in Basic09, and know other
> BASIC's enough to get by. I have learned C/C++ over the years, but never
> beyond the "console" versions of programs. The problem I have isn't the
> programming language ... it's the environment. I still have no clue what
> half of the things in the Microsoft C++ environment are, or what they do,
> and have never been able to figure out how to "finalize" a project into an
> application that I can say "OK these files go in the distribution archive
> and these are development files only". I find myself being frustrated to
> the point that I don't really consider myself to be a programmer, just a
> hobbyist. And I have yet to find a "Getting Started with the <language>
> Environment" tutorial, or a "Going Deeper into the <language> Environment"
> document. Anymore I just program in Basic09 and stay content in my ability
> there.
>
> Wayne
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paulo Lindoso" <
> paulo.lindoso at gmail.com>
>
> To: "CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts" <coco at maltedmedia.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 9:36 AM
> Subject: Re: [Coco] Thoughts on modern computers (sort of off topic)
>
>
>
>  On the other hand, many things that had to be programmed back in the "good
>> ol' Coco Days" are now simple apps that you can buy (or download for free
>> here and there).
>>
>> Take "contact managers", for instance... You will find anything from a
>> simple phonebook (if you own a Mac, it will come with OSX) to a
>> full-fledged CRM Web-based/client-based Siebel/Salesforce-like application
>> system...
>>
>> Coming from a programming background, I certainly miss the simplicity and
>> relaxed, text-based approach of an "80 computer", but I also enjoy digging
>> up an odd app to fulfill a specific need I have and I feel lazy about
>> programming...
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:31 PM, John Odom <forgerii at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>  I agree. The learning curve for modern computers is too steep.
>>>
>>> I immediately put GW basic on my windows machines, and run some programs
>>> I
>>> originally made for the CoCo.
>>>
>>> John L. Odom
>>> Chemist/Microscopist
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________**__
>>>  From: Louis Ciotti <lciotti1 at gmail.com>
>>> To: CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts <coco at maltedmedia.com>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 9:11 AM
>>> Subject: [Coco] Thoughts on modern computers (sort of off topic)
>>>
>>> This morning I was reading through a post about the Plug 'n' Power module
>>> and it mentiond some article in rainbow magizine.  I downloaded the first
>>> issue mentiond, and parusing through it got me thinking about modern
>>> computers and how people use them now.  My first computer was a CoCo 2
>>> back
>>> when I was in elementary school.  I can remember spending hours writing
>>> programs in basic, and playing the various games avaibable on it.  My
>>> father also used it to generated billing invoices for work he did forines
>>> and I still use some little programs I mad
>>> second income.  These programs would be considered simple by todays
>>> standards, even crude with their text only UI.  Anyway I got to thinking,
>>> back in the early days people could by a computer like a CoCo and with
>>> very
>>> little extra investment be creating personalized programs in short order.
>>> I mused over what it would take for someone to do so today.  After
>>> purchase
>>> of a computer, they then have to learn alot more before they can begin
>>> programming anything.  The mainstream computer arena is split between
>>> windows and mac.  I have no experience with modern macs and my windows
>>> experience is holding steady with XP, so I cannot really say for sure,
>>> but
>>> out of the box there is no method for one to start learning how to create
>>> programs.  There is now "basic" included with them.  In the windows arena
>>> you have to download something (i.e. MS VB, or Java) and start wading
>>> through how to manipulate graphics, windows, buttons, etc.  My first
>>> IBM/compatible with MS-DOS 4.01 at lease had GW-baisc where one could be
>>> creative.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Coco mailing list
>>> Coco at maltedmedia.com
>>> http://five.pairlist.net/**mailman/listinfo/coco<http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/coco>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Coco mailing list
>>> Coco at maltedmedia.com
>>> http://five.pairlist.net/**mailman/listinfo/coco<http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/coco>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> ------------------------------**------------------------------**-
>> Paulo Lindoso
>> paulo.lindoso at gmail.com
>> http://about.me/pbal<http://**email.about.me/wf/click?c=**
>> e86tqVWFYsEogZdu8cwmbpAZwRtFkP**jZS8Z3nwSDfjU%3D&rp=**
>> TDQggGXPgxMn1%2FQoMR%**2F7Bsr00fO9wne%**2B4zDSBQ93vWI1BH%**
>> 2FOlrnU7zrQ0H0iAWgQyYyB6YfryJh**LcifwbBLZ98yd6yex7cp06Yzq3Q1Sp**
>> lHrq%2FIu7OFPSwv8LqPdUbWL&u=**njPbVRRXSvmg3PMz9cXBSg%2Fh0<http://email.about.me/wf/click?c=e86tqVWFYsEogZdu8cwmbpAZwRtFkPjZS8Z3nwSDfjU%3D&rp=TDQggGXPgxMn1%2FQoMR%2F7Bsr00fO9wne%2B4zDSBQ93vWI1BH%2FOlrnU7zrQ0H0iAWgQyYyB6YfryJhLcifwbBLZ98yd6yex7cp06Yzq3Q1SplHrq%2FIu7OFPSwv8LqPdUbWL&u=njPbVRRXSvmg3PMz9cXBSg%2Fh0>
>> >
>>
>> --
>> Coco mailing list
>> Coco at maltedmedia.com
>> http://five.pairlist.net/**mailman/listinfo/coco<http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/coco>
>>
>
>
> --
> Coco mailing list
> Coco at maltedmedia.com
> http://five.pairlist.net/**mailman/listinfo/coco<http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/coco>
>