skysight-inc/HackerNews huggingface dataset:
"... I've been extorted into introducing the neighbor's daughter (and possibly her slightly younger brother) to programming concepts this summer ... Any other recommendations? ..."

Here's one that might be worth considering. Kids like to draw. So get them to draw something on either paper then scan it or on the screen with a paint program. Save the image(s) to either a .png or .jpg format.

hand drawn images + browser + Processing.js

Then head over to http://ejohn.org/blog/processingjs/ then check out the sprite example ~ http://ejohn.org/apps/processing.js/examples/basic/sprite.ht...

Forget python, squeak, ruby. Arc and lisp can wait. Think browser as your OS and Processing as your language. The bonus of creating their own images then given some bits of code to change the numbers. Let them fail a few times. Most important is getting an immediate result.

This is probably the simplest environment that most kids are familiar with, a browser. So use it. There are plenty of examples ~ http://processing.org/learning/basics/ the system is FOSS and x-platform. The example also allows them to create their own "Illustrated Primer" with powerful tools yet still simple to use.
IPhone central to "future of the Internet"
I'd say you are misusing the word hack. I sure don't care if people talk about the iPhone, especially from a technical point of view. What bothers me is that people are getting all excited about it. It's a phone. Consumerism shouldn't mix with religion.
Books Giveaway: Comment and Win
Apple's iPhone to Use a Centralized Push Based Notification Architecture
You Will [Commercial Break]
Programming is not all about passion
"It has almost been a year without anything new from this start-up and no signs of life from within the company."

http://mashable.com/2008/05/27/zecter-file-sharing/
These two statements:

"The game has no audio, since PLT Scheme doesn't have
audio support."

"I think it would have been considerably easier to write
it in PLT Scheme directly, but the Arc implementation
builds character."

really raise a red flag for me. The first one says the target platform is crippling Arc. The second one says Arc doesn't provide any benefits over the target platform (other than "character building", whatever that is).

That's like a C programmer saying it would have been easier to write something in assembly, or a Java programmer saying it would have been easier to write something in bytecode. (Except assembly and bytecode never crippled an app's audio support.)
Python: fortune favors the bold
That was a really poorly written essay. I'm not even completely sure what your point was.

And I only take time to say all that because you remind me of me when I was your age. (I thought I was a great writer and wrote huge essays that got poor grades. I deserved it.)

If your point is that all the big companies are doing the things that you want to do as a small company, well, yeah it's always been like that. If you're only coming up with ideas that big companies are jumping on, you're not thinking very far ahead or "out of the box." Or you're just thinking too big. As a sixteen year old, there are some things that (gasp!) you just CANNOT do.

Don't be so frickin' impatient! I think a lot of us (readers of this site, I mean) have felt the same way, like the idea we have RIGHT NOW is the best idea we'll ever have and if we can't start a company around it and get successful than we're total failures. Not true. Success is based on your ability to execute based on experience, talent, practice, and access to the resources you need, and NOT around having one incredible idea. Maybe you can pool all those other factors and make your incredible idea succeed, but that probably won't happen. Someone else will do it and you'll at first feel crushing defeat and then second realize that your life is not over.

Slow down. Enjoy high school. And your youth. There's a lot to enjoy.
I bet there's pretty close to an inverse relationship between the percentage spent for gas, and the percentage spent for housing, especially when you normalize for income. Would be interesting to see some mashups of this type of data.
Paralyzed Man Walks in Second Life
[On writing] Skybus, Slicehost, how to write good headlines, etc.
Providing a safety net might or might not encourage startups, but it's misleading to suggest that this idea is somehow in opposition to allowing economic inequality. To decrease economic inequality, you have to confiscate the wealth of the rich, not merely give money to the poor.
As long as you allow people to become billionaires, you'll have huge economic inequality, no matter what's happening at the other end of the scale.
That was a really poorly written essay. I'm not even completely sure what your point was.

Ok. I'm sorry.

And I only take time to say all that because you remind me of me when I was your age. (I thought I was a great writer and wrote huge essays that got poor grades. I deserved it.)

I receive poor grades as well. I don't pretend I'm a good writer. In a previous edit of the "essay," I said it was pretty badly written. To reduce the size of the intro, I cut that out - now it's back.

If your point is that all the big companies are doing the things that you want to do as a small company, well, yeah it's always been like that. If you're only coming up with ideas that big companies are jumping on, you're not thinking very far ahead or "out of the box." Or you're just thinking too big. As a sixteen year old, there are some things that (gasp!) you just CANNOT do.

That encompasses somewhat about what I'm saying. But I'm not saying, however, that startups are futile (definitely not.)

Thanks for the reply. Sorry for wasting your time.
Sorry, but I stopped reading after the 5th reference to age/immaturity. It got really distracting.
Don't apologise - take on board criticism and use it to improve. Respond to constructive criticms constructively yourself.

Not sure if the last 'apology' is facetious or not, but either way, totally not necessary.
Serial Entrepreneurs and High Valuations
It's funny - I went through this exact same process a few weeks ago (similar background to the author's too) and also ended up choosing Python.
Not at all. But, okay. Removing from news.yc.
sorry top 9 results obv.
Ask HN: iPhone released: discouraged as I am?
My first response: wow, this is an amazing device -- geo-location services are finally here! -- can't wait to pick one up.

But now I'm just depressed.

I'm depressed because people I know who have been working on great products are going to have an impossible time competing with Cupertino - every ajax desktop, data backup/sync, ???.

I'm depressed because apple apparently hates open-anything. Jobs smirks "oh hey we're going to let you push icon updates to the phone" -- WTF? Oh thank you great benevolent one. Then they proudly announce they had approved 4,000 developers. Nevermind the 21,000 we arbitrarily dicked over.

For developers it seems like the only upside is that someone is finally kicking mobile carriers in the teeth -- long since overdue.

In five years will we be missing Microsoft? :-/
Comeuppance.

</spelling nutter>
no. leopard is already 64-bit, today.
Is Google Making Us Stupid?
You could also root for Google Android.
The reason why I read the globe&mail every morning.

And why I made: http://userstyles.org/styles/2477
It's hard to "root" for them when there are no phones out that currently run on the platform, and many of the details still seem to be up in the air.

My worry is that Apple will dominate the smartphone market (like the MP3 player market), which will cause everyone else to try and play catch up. It already seems to be happening - other companies seem to be concentrating on touchscreen phones they call "iPhone killers." When was the last time someone made an innovative MP3 player that gained a significant share of the market?
Why Web 2.0 Is No Bubble: Corporations Are Willing to Pay for It
What about "The Little Schemer"? I remember thinking it would be a great book to teach a smart little kid about computer science. Unfortunately I don't have it with me right now (and won't anytime soon) so I can't confirm my memory. I think it would take a lot of direct interaction with the kid; the book in one hand, a Scheme interpreter running on the computer and a live coach to ask good questions and explain. If done well this could be an amazing learning experience for the right sort of gifted kid.
The author fails to adequately define passion, and thus leads us on a merry little semantic romp.

Passion (n): a thing arousing enthusiasm.

"Passion [enthusiasm] is the antithesis of good programming." Enthusiasm is bad programming? Really?

I concede enthusiasm isn't strictly required for good programming, but a programmer lacking enthusiasm either a) won't be in the job for too long OR b) is a computer.

Programming isn't all about passion, but it isn't all about that other ill-defined term - professionalism - either. Somewhere the the twain shall meet.
You could always go with Nokia's S60 devices. I've been extremely happy with my N82 so far, and there's also the N95 or the E90. Seriously, give them a look. You can install whatever you want without ridiculous workarounds, and they are all more capable devices than the iPhone.
You didn't waste my time. Glad to see you have the balls to proactively do something and post for all to see. I know people 3 times your age still afraid to do what they really want because they're afraid of what others may think.

"I find it interesting how I struggle for hours with English essays and assignments, but I just pumped out nearly 2000 words of an essay on startups and technology in a couple of hours. Dedication at work."

Maybe because your "inner self" has found its passion. Good for you. Go for it. And don't be afraid to make mistakes or subject yourself to criticism. Looking forward to you polishing your act and posting here again.

(FWIW, you cannot call yourself a "mensch". That's for others to decide. Always do the right thing and that will come in due time. Then it will really mean something.)
Nokia's S60 is a good alternative. A very mature, yet completely open OS. Touchscreen phones coming, too. It would take years for Apple to catch up with Nokia's attention to detail. Too bad they are practically non-existent in the US...
Welfare programs used to require people to work (picking up trash, etc.) to get benefits. When William F. Buckley ran for mayor of New York, he got a huge amount of flack for suggesting this as a law (nobody realized it was already on the books).

Most Western countries are able to pay large numbers of people to mooch off the state by calling them lobbyists, "diversity coordinators," graduate students, defense contractors, etc. Many people in these categories are probably doing some form of useful work, but some jobs with that title clearly exist to give an articulate member of a politically sensitive group enough money to stay happy.
i really love my current iphone, but now i kind of doubt i'm going to upgrade. i already do about half my browsing over wifi, so 3g isn't that big of a deal for me. i don't feel like i'm getting much for that extra ten bucks a month.
I agree that technically there are some good devices out there-- but in 18 months when Apple has the market completely wrapped up what's the point?
Kaiser Backs Microsoft Patient-Data Plan
Buy Apple stock :)
HigherFox
"But now I'm just depressed."

Why? Because the landscape has changed?

People affected by this will just have to adapt and find their place in the new landscape. That's all.

The pie is so big there's room for everybody. And if you still don't think so, there are plenty of other pies no one has noticed yet. You just gotta find them.

Nothing to be "depressed" about. Happens all the time.

OTOH, this is an excellent example of the advantages of being small and nimble - you can adapt quickly while the big boys are stuck struggling.
What about ActionScript (Flash)?
enjoyable. it's nice that we've gotten to the point where each of those possible uses is either so trivial that no one wants it (buying concert tickets from an ATM), or costs <$100 (GPS, on-demand Netflix box, webcams, etc).
You are definitely not alone. I'm pretty worried myself. A phone to realistically compete with the iPhone (especially at its new lower price point) is nowhere in site and the walled garden seems to grow with each Apple announcement.

AppStore could be another Facebook platform situation where Apple kills startups at will simply by releasing their own version of a application. And Apple wont need to push icon updates, their apps can run as background services just fine.

I'd like to be optimistic about other emerging mobile platforms, but everyone else is so dreadfully far behind and thats a bit concerning for a developer.
Gotta admit, I was surprised by their new apps. They are absolutely stunning. I heard rumors some time ago that Apple would offload their web apps (.Mac) to Google. Well, these new apps look better (and hopefully work as advertised) than Google's apps. For a company that only dabbles in web development, these new MobileMe apps change all that. They've raised the bar very high indeed.
maybe if you stopped wishing people would be "kicked in the teeth" you'd be a happier person. what you need is a better attitude. as you say, apple made something amazing. we should all rejoice.
Check out http://www.bfoit.org/itp/itp.html They teach kids using Alice and also jLogo. I've taken the jLogo class and that is how I became interested in programming during high school.
I am comfortable having a company like Apple lead the MP3 and smart phone markets. They are setting a quality standard that balances function and design in ways that other companies can learn from.

I hate to make the obvious comparison but its better then having something like Vista; an OS that dominates the market and the competitors succeeding by trying to be better, by not being like Vista.

Apple deserves the top spot if all the competitors can do is make a touchscreen, instead of improving the UI as a whole and focusing on the user experience.
No my friend you have it all wrong. The badge updates are a fine solution for now. Everything is fine, my friend.

I'm a bit concerned with your tone. It's almost as if you don't have faith that the Steve will do what is right. Has he not given us the iPhone, freed us from shitty cell phones, and gifted us, from some unknowable realm only he walks in, this beautiful 15 in. macbook pro I am typing on. After all the Steve did, you still want to leave the cult? In spite of everything, you just have to see the spear marks and stick your finger in. In your dark night, you even compare our savior (Steve) to microsoft. Luckily for you, the Steve's ability to make totally awesome gizmo's with a touch of LSD in each one is only parrelleled by his limitless compassion, and he is willing to forgive you, if only you would open your heart up to his forgiveness.

Why don't you sit down and talk for a bit, doubting thomas? You are free to leave, just sit down and talk for a minute first, my friend. We're not going to stop you from leaving. Just sit down and chat first.
The Little Schemer series of books might be my very favorite programming books of all time. But even though they look like they're for kids, I think they might be a bit too challenging. They even teach about the Y combinator. :-) I do wish there were some nice scheme books for a younger audience though.
Last time I checked Nokia N95's were outselling the iPhone considerably, even as there is hardly any advertising in the US (1), none of the carriers sell it and the price is significantly higher. And that's just one model.

(*) A non-geek friend told me she thought Nokia was bankrupt, because she hadn't heard anything about them for a while.
I see you have read The Black Swan. I learned a lot too when I read it. And it is an especially must-read for those getting into trading and fund management.
No.

TV is making people stupid.
Looks good to me. I'm excited about that. Just what my app needed.
When you're spending most of your waking hours on a startup, your personal identity gets completely intertwined with your company's identity. So I think the the most important part of recovery is to separate those things. The goal is to internalize the distinction between "My company failed" and "I am a failure."

Two things helped me reach this point after my first company fell apart. First, I taught myself how to program. (I wasn't a hacker at the time.) No new skill has made me feel more empowered. Second, I got a job with a big company, where I was surrounded by a lot of people who -- to be totally frank -- weren't as ambitious or capable as I was. That experience was also very empowering. I saw my strengths, whereas before I'd been dwelling on my weaknesses.

I only lasted about a month at the big company before I got my mojo back and thought, "screw this, time for another startup." =P
it's hardly the case that the other 21k developers got "dicked over!" apple decided they were only going to let a few in during the beta period. i bet the situation will be rectified at some point after the app store launches.

the only thing those 4k developers got that the rest of us didn't is a key to install apps onto real iphone hardware. everybody else can still develop for the iphone simulator, which is very good. and if you really really need to see your app on a real iphone, you can go the jailbreak route.
Do you consider it a problem to have huge economic inequality in a society?
I'm guessing it's because the subject is "only you" (who's invited? "only you") and you can't merge half of the subject with (half of) the verb like that.
Thanks for the suggestion. Some time ago I'd looked at Processing for my own use. I hadn't even considered it as a platform for teaching. It would be certainly be interesting to have a kid-oriented programming environment (like that for Scratch) built on top of this.
With the iPhone though we are potentially talking about the platform of the future.

Do you want a single monopoly controlling this? That type of situation has historically been bad for innovation.

As an analogy, how would things be if every internet web app created had to operate at the mercy of another company? Startup A has a great idea and wants to release an innovative new webapp. But they need to pay and have permission to do so, must operate in a tightly defined sandbox, and must share profits that they make. And the webapp could be kicked off the internet at anytime for breaking these rules.

Does that make you comfortable?
1993 video, Connections: AT&T's Vision of the Future, 14 minute video
http://www.paleofuture.com/2007/04/connections-at-vision-of-...

"You Will" voiceovers by Tom Selleck of Magnum P.I. fame
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Selleck
To support your argument:

> A study by McKinsey Global estimated the true figure [of unemployed working-age Swedes] —which included those on sick leave, in early retirement, in jobs programs—to be between 15 and 17 percent. Jan Edling, a researcher with the Social Democratic trade union LO, estimated the total figure of unemployed to be 19.7 percent. (Edling's report was suppressed and he was himself offered "early retirement.") The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise said the figure was 16.5 percent. Other studies ranged from 12 percent to 18 percent.

* http://reason.com/blog/show/126884.html
I mostly agree. You're absolutely right about there being tons of other opportunities out there -- my start-up won't be affected at all -- and I have no doubt people like netvibes or dropbox will adapt. Not to mention I work on apple products 12 hours a day so personally I really benefit from their work.

It's more an issue of building closed platforms. Everyone knows they are bad news but it seems like Apple gets a free pass. Adapting is always a good move, but you have to go meta at some point. A rough parallel would be people living in a locked down communist country... sure you adapt, but on some level it's proper to object to any system that long term consolidates power and subjugates minority interests.
As an American citizen, I would like to say how embarrassed I am that our border security put you through that process.

I think anyone who wants to ought to be allowed to enter the US to work.
Thanks, man. I don't think I'll be posting any other writing of any kind to news.yc. I've already made a fool of myself on here.

wrt mensch: you're right; noted.

Thank you!
Wrong.

Tell them you are deaf and can't use voice minutes (because you are friggin deaf) and they'll sell you a stand alone data plan.
I think the notification system will work out. Apparently you can use it to play a sound, "badge" an icon, or display a custom message. That sounds limited, but I think it completely encompasses the vocabulary of the user interface. Think of how Apple's programs work, and the only think I think of immediately missing is an action button or two on the "display a custom message", perhaps that will be there, maybe not, I can still attract the user to interact with my program and that makes me happy.

As one of the 21,000 "dicked over" developers, I am still hopeful that they will open the floodgate enough days before July 11th to let me deploy on Day 1 and stake my ground against any potential competitor before they are the incumbent. The nature of my application makes the emulator mostly useless, but I have written a suite of algorithms and when I learn the performance characteristics of the iPhone hardware I will be able to choose and tune rapidly to deliver the best user experience. It has been a lot of extra work that I could better spent if I could have chosen and tuned along the way, but I also understand their desire to limit load from the beta program. I suppose what I would have done differently is make a track for people whose applications need to run natively and made room for them... but that would probably be abused.

I don't see that mobile carriers got kicked in the teeth here. AT&T appears to be loaning you $200 for a stream of 24 monthly $10 payments. That works out to about a 15% return on their money. Then read the articles about AT&T no longer paying a monthly share to Apple and justifying it "because they are using that to subsidize the phones". I call bullshit. The $10/mo more than covers the $200 subsidy.
Is there a release date for android yet?
What about a separate feature requests page for those that already have been accepted and implemented like this one? And maybe another for formal rejections.

I think it can get confusing reading suggestions for features that have been implemented since the request was made for less obvious features than ajax voting. And they're not particularly relevant anymore. Of course I wouldn't simply delete them so a separate page would be a good compromise.
I was talking to a googler the other day who says that Eric Schmidt is fond of saying about these situations, "It's not a zero-sum game."

The original complaint about Apple being anti-open is proof that there's still room for more than Apple.
Wow, I hope that last paragraph is some level of sarcasm that is beyond me or an extract from something, because it sounds ridiculous.
See what I posted above: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=213460

So, if the Swedish model is to believed, society would have to cope with, an approximately 7-10% jump in unemployed working-age people living on the state. If you don't think that's applicable, please explain why.
It was an extract from the south park where stan, kyle, and cartman join the david blaine cult and kyle wants to leave, and the shaved head cult people say something almost exactly like that.
Do it right thing from the beginning. I was teached basic when I was a child, and it crippled by brain for programming. I had to unlearn and forget loads of crap. I say use python, because it is clean, multiplatform, multiparadigm, has console (ie. immediate incentive to see if the thing is working and why), powerful, and has batteries included.

Once you can use python, jumping to C++, C# or Java is not that hard.