Date   : Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:08:12 +0000 (GMT)
From   : haroonnet2002@... (F. Haroon)
Subject: BBC News - Retro computers: programmable computers

> Few kids program as a passtime, about the limit of logical exercise is
sudoku...

OK, I do realize that with the absence of many ready-programmable computers, 
the market has dumbed down significantly.  It worries me also about the 
amount of training opportunities for programming out there as an organization 
I know used to offer Linux training now only does office training!  Anything 
that's programmable about any Windows, Linux or MacOS doesn't even come 
with a free manual or proper user guide on how to make the most of their 
capabilities, without one needing to shell out for books, proprietary software 
and training.  Or, you need some time on your hands to search around for 
free training from either library books ot Web site to teach yourself from. 
 It seems sometimes that you need a degree to really get into the nitty 
gritty of how to make a Windows registry work for you etc.  How far does
shell programming take you compared to VB, C++ and Java?  It's a shocking
thought that programming might not be not taught in schools any more
 'cos a decade ago I remember kids being taught VB.  Have Microsoft really
made sure that the market is left without basic programming knowledge so
that no one gets the chance to rival them?

Fiaz.