[OWW-Discuss] MIT Scratch

[Bill F]

This is an example of the kind of apps kids are creating using a MIT open
source educational project called Scratch:

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/Jacobo/62911

Scratch is a drag-and drop desktop programming application. It's a sort of
"mash up for tyros".

What impressed me is how fast kids can learn to manipulate the programming
language to build pretty compelling applications. It's very similar to the
first Lego Mindstorms programming model.

For $32, you can buy a 'scratchboard', a bright yellow USB I/O device that
is intrinsically supported by the language. The board has 4 input lines
(each with a wire and alligator clip and a yellow wire), a slider
potentiometer, a light sensor, and a noise sensor.

Jacob's Alien DNA application is funny. But this environment could be used
for simple simulations in a classroom environment. The ridiculously low
entry price, compelling look of the output apps (which are designed to be
shared via the web), and the dead-simple programming model are impressive.

One cool part of the system is that anyone can reprogram another model they
download with Scratch. One 'seed' production can lead to dozens of
mutations.

We may be a lot closer to "M13 Cart" and "T7 Goes Wild" than anyone thinks.
Don't worry about the biohackers. It may be the teen-bopper scratches that
have the last laugh.

B.
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