703 karma · joined October 26, 2008
Teachers and kids are already ahead of the game.
When today's kids graduate they'll view Python2.7 in perhaps the same way I view Delphi or VB6 ("you're still using that..?" etc,).
Hah... it wasn't me talking at Muc2016. I wonder who it was? I'd love to know who... :-)
FWIW, here's my EuroPython keynote, including singing micro:bits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVaF6uZuSIU
Would love feedback!
Obviously, this is a very constrained device and just getting a full re-implementation of Python 3 (sans standard library) is testament to Damien George's engineering brilliance.
There's still lots of work to be done and efficiencies to be made. This is only but the start of the project.
There are some quite interesting / complicated examples in the source code:
https://github.com/bbcmicrobit/micropython/tree/master/examp...
Hope this helps!
It was probably me you saw keynoting - perhaps at this year's EuroPython? I'm one of the volunteers behind the MicroPython related work for the micro:bit.
Sorry you thought I was nationalistic. That's completely the opposite to my intention. :-(
To set the record straight, my point about the Acorn BBC micro was only:
1) The BBC already have done something like this before and have "form", resources and reach in this respect. 2) The BBC micro gave the 8yo me the sense of wonder and excitement in computing that inspired me to become a programmer.
These points have absolutely nothing to do with the decision of the BBC to create the micro:bit project.
They wanted a device that wasn't as complicated as a Pi but that also contained enough hardware to be a compelling "device for thinking" as Seymour Papert would put it. A huge amount of research, development and testing that went into working out how the device should function. It certainly wasn't a case of NIH - we were painfully aware of the danger of wheel reinvention. That the BBC is a UK based organisation is completely beside the point. In fact, all the Python related work was done by an international group of volunteers - reflecting the Python community's diversity and something I want to celebrate. Furthermore, the team who did the Microsoft related work are Seattle based.
Personally, I think it wonderful there is a German team working on an alternative. I'm also hopeful they'll be a lot more open about the hardware - the BBC have been dragging their feet in this respect although I know they intend to eventually open source hardware schematics.
Let many flowers bloom!
The important thing is kids get exposure to platforms that help them realise that programming is something that'll help them do valuable stuff. This isn't just about creating a new generation of engineers; Rather, I'll know we've succeeded if in fifteen years I meet doctors, teachers, artists, musicians, lawyers, civil servants and other professionals who are computer literate enough to know how to effectively explore and make use of such technology.
David Allen, the producer involved with the original BBC micro from the 1980s, said it best: "The aim was to democratise computing. We didn't want people to be controlled by it, but to control it."
This isn't nostalgia for the Acorn "good old days" - it's a sentiment that's just as valid today as it was back in the 1980s.
I look forward to seeing how kids get on with all such devices. :-)
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://kuro5hin.org
All that lost content...
As someone directly involved with the project I can assure you we worked very hard to make it boring, insipid and a waste of time. We see this every time we put the device in the hands of children who instantly fall asleep or complain about how it's "missing the point" and a "total fail".
Seriously, the world is a diverse place and I understand this perhaps doesn't float your boat, but you're wrong in every assertion you make.
Kids love it. Kids love writing Python (among other languages) for it. Kids see how this is but a first step to bigger things.
If but 1% of the million kids who'll get their hands on the device create something amazing then it's been worth it (despite vacuous posturing by nay-sayers).
You're welcome! :-)
https://pyfound.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/a-million-children.ht...
Happy to answer questions.
I can confidently say that all the partners are working very hard to fulfil the vision the BBC has of inspiring a new generation of digital makers, engineers and creatives. Each partner brings different skills, capabilities and expertise to the table. It's most certainly a case of the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts since we're all pulling together in the same direction.
Obviously, we'll be documenting the MicroPython implementation. Other partners will do their own thing.
Happy to talk about MicroPython.
Sorry.
They're also great supporters of the London Python scene (also another good indicator of a good company to work with).
(Note: I used to do sub-contract work with them. The first thing that happens when you work with them is you get sent a copy of one of Semler's books on the subject.)