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citelao | 1 year ago
I was doom-and-gloomy about how programming is more complicated now, but then friends pointed out a bunch of things to me:
* Arduinos & ESP32s (<$5): program in a simple app, flash over USB, & you're programming bare metal. ESP32s have Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
* Raspberry Pi ($30-$80): program on a real, self-contained Linux OS. If you trash it, just reset the SD card. GPIO, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi.
* Web (free): like theoa points out, you can make apps that work on any modern computer/phone in a single file with no compilation & instant output (and share it on GitHub Pages).
* Go & Rust (free): 2 easy-to-build-and-install languages, & Rust feels "C enough" to sate anyone who wants to learn "low-level" programming.
* Pico8 ($15): fake 8-bit console w/ dev tools. [Celeste](https://maddymakesgamesinc.itch.io/celesteclassic) was first written for Pico8.
* Unreal Engine/[Unreal Editor for Fortnite](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/uses/uefn-unreal-editor-f... (free): make games using the same engines everyone else uses
* Roblox? (free???): make & share games with your friends
IMO, the hardest things in 2024 (hah) are native app development & "modern" web development/anything that includes a login.
I don't have enough context for your points about learning without adult supervision, but I know that all of these options are very well documented; I bet No Starch has some good books for each?
Thoughts?
nuancebydefault|1 year ago
- To me it seems kids/beginners these days are less easily impressed both on the producing and consuming side. So for them to implement something that provides a wow factor, there's needed much more than a mandelbroth set or a simple 2d platform game.
- There's just too much choice. Back in the day, BASIC was an obvious first choice, now to get started, you have at least the ones you mentioned and much more.
- It's too easy to get distracted. Look something up on the internet... 'wow more cool stuff' rabbit holes. Or addictive memes, short videos or songs lead to wasting time in stead of making stuff.
theoa|1 year ago