Posted by
michael
on from the montessori-school dept.
suzipaw writes "In this interview on OpenP2P.com, Kay has some interesting observations about both the past and future of computing--including kids using technology. Says Kay, "Montessori would have been a great innovator with computers.""
My kid loves her computer
by
Voltronalpha
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
My child loves her computer; she is 3 1/2 and uses it for 2-3 hours everyday. It has replaced the time in her day where she would usually sit and watch a Disney movie or some other such, now she is challenging her mind instead of taking backseat. Kids and computers do mix.
On the plus side at preschool there are two computers that the kids use/watch other kids use, exposure seems to be key.
-- There is evidence to prove both Democrats and Republicans are lying cocksuckers. Vote independently.
Re:My kid loves her computer
by
Anonymous Coward
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
i grew up with computers, around the age of 6 i was a regular on a bunch of local BBSes and also running my own, with DOS and stuff. i feel these days i have much less curiousity and ability to learn, i wish i could go back to the mindset i had in those days so i can figure things out just as fast as i did back then.
ever since i enrolled in university i've been much less active, so to speak. in high school i used to love hacking around the school district servers, the local security and protection, the proxy server, all that stuff. now i have no interest in the university equivalents (rooting the server, upping my quota, etc). it's not because i know the penalties are really harsh if i get caught, but i seriously have no interest.
these days i'm starting to feel as if maturity and education have ruined me. kids with computers are incredible because they are able to learn much faster and realize thing much sooner. maybe it's just me but i wish i could be like i was back then.
Re:My kid loves her computer
by
Flabby+Boohoo
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
2-3 hours is a huge amount of time... I honestly cannot see how that would be good for her.
I have two boys (5 and 7), and I encourage them to go outside and play, play with Lego building blocks (not legso:-)).
They each have thier own computer (old laptops) and they do play some games such as Reader Rabbit, etc. But I purposefully limit the amount of time spend in front of it. I just don't see how it can be good for them to sit there for hours.
Re:My kid loves her computer
by
Commutative+Monoid
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
There are several hours in a day, and for a child that isn't even three yet, I can't say that there exists a tremendous quantity of things for them to be doing to fill their time. Simply being outside for an extra two hours or so isn't going to make a tremendous difference in their capacity to kick or run, and in reality I see most small children spending much of their free time watching television.
The grandparent poster indicated that their child replaced Disney films with computer use, something that stresses literacy, over something that mostly involves vegetation. You may disagree with their assessment about the benefits of computer use over Disney films, but you've no particular reason or grounding to judge another person's parenting by in this, and it's rather rude to posit there's something harmful about the previously mentioned usage, simply because you do not see a reason for it with regard to your children.
Don't assume that because his child spends an aggregate two hours or so using a computer, that that is the extent of her day.
-- You have exactly 314 seconds to come up with a less retarded plot.
Re:My kid loves her computer
by
shadowbearer
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
Beats them spending the same time in front of the Vacuum Tube watching the garbage on it, doesn't it?
(ok, unless you can restrict their TV time to more educational things such as Discovery Channel and whatever else is available nowadays - beats me, I haven't watched TV in years)
SB
-- It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
Doesn't do much for me
by
Mattygfunk1
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· Score: 4, Interesting
In my opinion this article sounds more like a long promotion rather than anything with substance.
A lot of criticisms about how what everyone else is doing is wrong without offering an alternative, and gloating that "he did it first".
Nothing against Alan personally, but he reminds me of team motivators that are great at speaking theory but lack giving true direction.
Re:Doesn't do much for me
by
Commutative+Monoid
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
If I had to make an equally offensive and presumptious statement, it would be that you're using a formulaic means of "whoring" kharma. Your comment is all criticism about the intent of the article and the self-opinion of their subject, with no real substance. Pfffft.
The article is indeed a promotion. It's telling you:
1. Who Alan Kay is, and what he's helped contribute.
2. That he's giving a talk at an O'Reilly function.
3. A general idea of what the talk will be about.
4. A few of the reasons Kay feels we shouldn't become complacent and accept the failings of our current computing world, and why he believes we have ended up with this.
5. It talks a bit about the topic of educating children, where the author reminisces about a previous presentation of Kay's that he witnessed.
6. It mentions Squeak's progression and involvement in education.
Overall the article does an alright job of outlining what you can expect from Kay's actual keynote address, why you might listen to him, and some of the things that he's done and is doing. If you want more, see him speak. If you have complaints about the actual article, they would be with the author and not with Kay, and if anyone is out of place with their arrogance, it would be you and not Alan Kay. He's contributed far more than you, and he's not sitting around deriding you on message boards, telling you how much your comments are a waste of disk space and a contentless mechanism for promoting web hosting services.
-- You have exactly 314 seconds to come up with a less retarded plot.
Kids and Computers
by
1nsane0ne
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
I've taught computer classes to kids before (ages 5 - 14 ) and it is amazing what some of them can do. It's neat to see which ones are confident enough to tinker with things and don't fear making mistakes, the same qualities many/.'ers had in their formative years I'm sure. By sitting in a lab with a few kids and doing something like blocking their favorite website, 9 times out of 10 the kids that go and find away around whatever you did are the ones that relate best to other people and kids. A little bit different then the older stereotypical geek I suppose. Back to the article, I think that besides the internet there has been no real boom in the computer reveloution during my lifetime at least, but then again I'm young and the lowest end machine I got to tinker with was a 286. I'm sure those of you who still have their commie 64's around have some other examples, but quite frankly, I missed all those. The way I see it the computer revolution has been a slow and steady battle with little booms along the way.
Re:Kids and Computers
by
iq+in+binary
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
Being someone who had to completely re-build his social skills due to computer use, I am torn between agreeing and disagreeing.
I used to get the crap kicked out of me every day (literally) by kids who saw me as a threat due to my intelligence. I stopped this by withdrawing completely from any personal social interaction.
Time eventually came where I "re-introduced" myself to the world. The fact I had been a social recluse for the past 3 years gave me a whole new spin on life once I actively sought one. I wholely believe this is for the better. Having been a social recluse for so long made real social interaction a learning experience for me.
Due to that, I'm now one of the most popular people in my area. This isn't even intentional. More than likely, it is due to the extreme change in environment and need to acclimate myself.
Tough situations are much better learning and cementing tools than people realize. Had I not shut myself off for awhile in my pubescant years, I'd probably just another wasted youth in America's ghetto.
Children aren't meant to handle social situations as well as adults can. Sometimes taking them out of the social situation for a small while is the best thing to do, considering how much they'll actually learn once put back in the situation.
-- Of all the Universal Constants, here's one I know: Nice guys finish last;)
Re:Kids and Computers
by
rf0
·
· Score: 4, Interesting
I will admit that I use to be similar in being intelligent and that works against you. However a few years ago I decided to turn my life round as well and now I've got a life, a gf and actually go out. Perhaps I work a bit to much but I'm a lot happier. I just can't help but think though I should of spent more of my childhood out playing..
Re:Kids and Computers
by
rf0
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
When kids are old enough yes then I can see IM being reasonable as a form of communication. As for the mobile least the kids were talking. What I'm more concerened about is when kids are very young. They aren't going to use IM/IRC and I wouldn't let my kids over fears of security.
Its the 5 years old I worry about and would make to sure any kids I have will goto kindergarden so they at least learn what is socailly acceptable
Re:Kids and Computers
by
frankthechicken
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· Score: 2, Insightful
9 times out of 10 the kids that go and find away around whatever you did are the ones that relate best to other people and kids
I find it best to differentiate between kids and real people as well.
I seem to remember that the most socializing I did as a kid with regards to computing was the illicit trade of copied C64 games tapes. Apart from the actual gaming, everything else seemed to be a largely solitary pursuit, probably as the home revolution was still in its infancy. I'm not sure, but I feel that revolution was when printers became cheap, and suddenly there was an actual practical use, rather than just the perception of it being a rather expensive toy.
Kids and Computers
by
rf0
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
To survive in todays world I agree that kids need to be able to use computers but one thing that concerns me is that an increasing number of people are seeing the computer as an alternative to having human interaction. I've seen a few kids who are 4/5 and have no idea about how to interact socially. There more than quite and shy they are withdrawn.
There should be a balance and I would think that it would be better to spend time with parents that technology. Just call me old fashioned it you want
Refelctions...
by
evilviper
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· Score: 4, Interesting
Yes, all you get in the article are refections such as We were doing great things, and Computers aren't going where they should be. As with most similar interviews, there is nothing about what we SHOULD be doing now, just that we aren't doing it...
People, if you aren't happy with computers, come up with where they should be going, and why. A GUI was a natural evolution for the computer... What exactly do we need next? Come-on all you "visionaries"...
Re:Refelctions...
by
baryon351
·
· Score: 2, Informative
It's interesting you raise the issue of the GUI as a natural evolution. I remember in the mid-80s when I had my first Amiga, the complete disdain that practically anyone I knew who owned a computer felt towards a GUI or computer with graphics was amazing. It certainly took time and visionaries to push the idea of a GUI, not as an optional gimmick, but bundle it with every machine - or as with the mac, make do with ONLY a GUI. for 15 years or more.
Re:Refelctions...
by
FunkyRat
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· Score: 5, Insightful
I'm not sure whether you are trying to troll or if you're just a little igonorant about the history of the computer.
Back in the early 1970s, GUIs were not a natural evolution for computers. They only appear so in retrospect because Steve Jobs happened to get a tour of Xerox PARC and decided that GUIs should be the next step in the evolution of computers. I daresay that Jobs (and Woz's) experiences growing up playing (and later writing) video games influenced the decision to base the Lisa and then the Mac's OS around a GUI but had Jobs not had his little tour about PARC it's arguable that the PC revolution would never have happened and the CLI would still be dominant today.
Alan Kay and his fellow researchers at Xerox PARC and preceeded by Doug Englebart at SRI are the real thing - true visionaries. It's easy to knock their accomplishments 35+ years out (Englebart et. al. developed NLS in 1967!) because we've had that long for their ideas to percolate into mass culture. Yeah, I know, the Mac has only been with us since 1984 but really, Englebart and later Kay were subtly but powerfully through their work and demonstrations preparing the way for the dominance of the GUI. Also, as I made allusion to before, don't forget the powerful role that video games had in preparing the kids of the 70s and 80s in ways that would make GUIs seem second nature.
So yeah, I've got to agree, this interview was pretty weak. However, if you want to see where Kay really envisioned that we'd be right now, take a look at the copious information out there regarding Dynabook, Smalltalk and his work at Xerox PARC. Then take a swing by squeak.org, download a copy and play around with it for a while. It's hard not to be impressed. As far as where we go next, that's up to all of us, including you. Personally, I'd like to start working in some strong AI and humaniform robots, but that's my hangup. Perhaps you have a different destination in mind.
Note: I'm not sure of Steve Jobs actual role at Xerox PARC. I've read differing accounts ranging from the tourist picture I paint above to his actually being a researcher there. Can anybody clarify?
Going from what I've seen of recent computer history the booms seem to just sneak up. For example the net really became big in about 97/98 here is europe and it caught everyone off guard. Even Microsoft said "the internet isn't relevant" and then turned around and released IE. I'm sure there is going to be another boom its just trying to work out what it is
Kids need to teach us about computers!
by
mabhatter654
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Kids are remarkably adaptable, but they lack the handling of highly complicated verbage structures. i.e. most kids can build complex things with blocks and lego bricks, but can't handle the abstract reading, writing required for most comupter languages. As adult programmers we should work to fix that--it will also benifit other older people as well. Kids are resilliant and love to play. That could be used to create all sorts of interfaces and study the effect on the kids-and the kids effect on the interfaces.
after all these years why are we still programming with text files? there are so many other possibilities. Not everything needs to be on a screen! We could use Blocks, music, colors, lights, shapes--with today's tech the possibilities are endless!
And mine are on the street if they learn PHP at any point... Although, actually, children learn to talk before they learn to draw, so why should mastering computer language come 12 years after mastering point and click? Or, conversely, why are GUIs so shallow?
The GUIs we have now generally have the grammatical sophistication of a 2 year-old: "Want THAT, Don't want THAT, move THAT, and THAT, and THAT..." Seeing Kay's name go past again makes me nostalgic for an age when interface designers dreamed bold dreams, when object-oriented meant more than another way of managing libraries, when we really thought that GUIs could become languages rather than cave paintings revisited. I remember playing with GUI code on a Symbolics 15 years ago that still makes any modern GUI seem incredibly limited, and this despite having 100 times the processing power we had then.
I think we settled for a parody of the original dream.
Speaking as someone who has developed RSI from working on computers, I would suggest those of you who have kids that use computers at an early age that you both limit their time spent on the machines and have them sit, use the keyboard and mouse/track ball properly.
If not, they will develop habits that will be difficult to break once they get into their early-to-mid 20s--then they'll be in trouble. Have them develop good habits to start with.
Re:Kids and Computers and boys and Ritalin
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 2, Interesting
The trouble is, darned few kids are taught to program, they just sit in front of the screen filling out multiple choice answers. It's used mainly as a scoring aid for teacher.
Inquisitive and restless boys, the troublemakers, are sent to the school nurse, who then has a talk with the parents about ADHD. Parents then get from SSI a $450 check for their disabled child being treated with vitamin R.
and when these powers of expression bring forth a new way to discuss, think, and argue about important ideas.
Yo brain don't work well on Ritalin. Besides, few math and science majors ever teach those subjects. In reality, the football or soccer or hockey coach picks up the computer class, and he/she just teaches out of the answer book. Coach skidded through teaching college with a minor in Social Sciences or Human Services. Never had a logic class, and the last time was in a science or math class was 7th grade.
Alan Kay needs to acquaint himself with the new realities of public education.
What will computers *be*, to kids.
by
dmorin
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· Score: 4, Interesting
Once upon a time computers were thought to be really fancy calculators.
Then people started thinking about them as fancy typewriters.
Then, databases. I remember working at a retail computer store in the late 80's and actually using the "mom can store her recipes" argument.
Somewhere in there they were seen as having the potential to be generic problem solvers. But I think that view was only ever held by developers, not users.
I think kids see the computer as a communication device. IM is the world to lots of them.
I, like many Slashdotters, saw my first computer at the age of about 10 where if you wanted a new video game you learned assembly language and wrote your own. I spend the next 20 years listening to people say things like "Oh, my 2yr old is into the computer just like you were!" Yeah, sure. The 2yr old likes to wiggle the mouse, I was hacking 6809 assembly. That's the same thing. But kids now have simply learned to see the computer for its communication ability, and don't necessarily care to see it as a machine that can be turned into new things. Sure, they like to personalize the hell out of it. Skinning your programs, generating new icons, that's all the rage. But the percentage of 10yr olds that are out there thinking about new IM programs to write is probably about the same as its always been. I've always been a firm believer that hackers are born, not made, a kid who is destined to hack will show an intuition for it from the minute she sits down at the keyboard, and a kid who isn't will be bored and distracted in programming classes.
its just a part of evolution
by
Rooked_One
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· Score: 2, Insightful
As the human species progress over the course of time, without destroying itself, it will inherently gain many qualities. One of which is, since we've developed many ways to aid in our progress, to make machines that will aid in our progress. To think otherwise is insane - do you know anyone that would have taken Pi to the extent pc's have? I thought not.
As computers become more common place humans will evolve further. We will no longer have to invest in hard core brain power, and perhaps will concentrate on a different role. If you disagree with darwinism please disregard this post entirely, I don't want to say anything but my opinion. As computers start to do some things for us we will learn how to do other things we couldn't imagine of doing right now. The question is - will we get there without losing sight of what is really important?
If I lost you, I apologize in advance - mod this down all you want:)
He says there isnt much effort in trying to improv
by
ioao
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· Score: 2
He says there isnt much effort in trying to improve computing. To me, there are many efforts in several fronts. In fact, due to the mass of information and geographic distance, many of these efforts are hard to track, even if you tried.
Re:Kids Sholdnt use the Internet.
by
Commutative+Monoid
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Or they could try being a parent. I don't know, maybe periodically keep tabs on what they're children are doing. I know it's a fairly outlandish theory in this modern day of ours, what with television being the typical mother and father these days.
-- You have exactly 314 seconds to come up with a less retarded plot.
Re: Revisionist Mac/PARC history
by
Animats
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· Score: 2, Interesting
Note: I'm not sure of Steve Jobs actual role at Xerox PARC. I've read differing accounts ranging from the tourist picture I paint above to his actually being a researcher there. Can anybody clarify?
Mostly, that's a myth. First, Parc was never that secretive. I got the tour and demo in 1975 while taking a class in computer architecture, years before Jobs did. Met Alan Kay and Adele Goldberg, and saw an early version of Smalltalk running a discrite-event simulation.
Second, the Lisa was the innovative machine; the Mac was a severely cost-reduced Lisa. (Remember the original Mac specs: 128K, one floppy, no hard drive, cost about $3K) The big problem back then, realized by most researchers, was that you need about a megapixel, a megabyte, and a megahertz to do a GUI system. PARC did that by having custom minicomputers built at a cost of about $40K each. (Xerox Altos were actually built by Data General, and were Data General Novas with different microcode.) Other people tried to build "workstations" that had enough hardware to do the job, but most of them ran UNIX, which was a poor platform for a GUI.
Third, what PARC had back then looked nothing like the Mac, or even like a modern GUI. It looked more like a game system; you could run one program at a time, and that program ran full-screen. You could get multiple windows going in the same Smalltalk environment, but they all belonged to the same program.
Incidentally, back then Kay described Ethernet as "Alohanet with a captive ether". It was based on a University of Hawaii VHF network well-known in the networking community at the time.
in an article about the computer revolution,
by
sstory
·
· Score: 2, Funny
we find this sentence: " I spoke to him by phone while scribbling madly to keep up with him."
Yeah, I'd certainly agree that you aren't using electronic tools to their maximum if you are writing madly to record what someone's saying.
Slashdot Mirror
My child loves her computer; she is 3 1/2 and uses it for 2-3 hours everyday. It has replaced the time in her day where she would usually sit and watch a Disney movie or some other such, now she is challenging her mind instead of taking backseat. Kids and computers do mix.
On the plus side at preschool there are two computers that the kids use/watch other kids use, exposure seems to be key.
There is evidence to prove both Democrats and Republicans are lying cocksuckers. Vote independently.
A lot of criticisms about how what everyone else is doing is wrong without offering an alternative, and gloating that "he did it first".
Nothing against Alan personally, but he reminds me of team motivators that are great at speaking theory but lack giving true direction.
__ cheap web site hosting FAQ
I've taught computer classes to kids before (ages 5 - 14 ) and it is amazing what some of them can do. It's neat to see which ones are confident enough to tinker with things and don't fear making mistakes, the same qualities many /.'ers had in their formative years I'm sure. By sitting in a lab with a few kids and doing something like blocking their favorite website, 9 times out of 10 the kids that go and find away around whatever you did are the ones that relate best to other people and kids. A little bit different then the older stereotypical geek I suppose. Back to the article, I think that besides the internet there has been no real boom in the computer reveloution during my lifetime at least, but then again I'm young and the lowest end machine I got to tinker with was a 286. I'm sure those of you who still have their commie 64's around have some other examples, but quite frankly, I missed all those. The way I see it the computer revolution has been a slow and steady battle with little booms along the way.
Check out my life
To survive in todays world I agree that kids need to be able to use computers but one thing that concerns me is that an increasing number of people are seeing the computer as an alternative to having human interaction. I've seen a few kids who are 4/5 and have no idea about how to interact socially. There more than quite and shy they are withdrawn.
There should be a balance and I would think that it would be better to spend time with parents that technology. Just call me old fashioned it you want
Rus
Cheap UK and US VPS
Yes, all you get in the article are refections such as We were doing great things, and Computers aren't going where they should be. As with most similar interviews, there is nothing about what we SHOULD be doing now, just that we aren't doing it...
People, if you aren't happy with computers, come up with where they should be going, and why. A GUI was a natural evolution for the computer... What exactly do we need next? Come-on all you "visionaries"...
Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
Going from what I've seen of recent computer history the booms seem to just sneak up. For example the net really became big in about 97/98 here is europe and it caught everyone off guard. Even Microsoft said "the internet isn't relevant" and then turned around and released IE. I'm sure there is going to be another boom its just trying to work out what it is
Rus
Cheap UK and US VPS
after all these years why are we still programming with text files? there are so many other possibilities. Not everything needs to be on a screen! We could use Blocks, music, colors, lights, shapes--with today's tech the possibilities are endless!
Otherwise I'm going to trade them in.
Congratulations! Now we are the Evil Empire
Speaking as someone who has developed RSI from working on computers, I would suggest those of you who have kids that use computers at an early age that you both limit their time spent on the machines and have them sit, use the keyboard and mouse/track ball properly.
If not, they will develop habits that will be difficult to break once they get into their early-to-mid 20s--then they'll be in trouble. Have them develop good habits to start with.
I spent nearly all my time on the computer when I was a kid, and it's made me socially confident and popular with the ladies!
10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
The trouble is, darned few kids are taught to program, they just sit in front of the screen filling out multiple choice answers. It's used mainly as a scoring aid for teacher.
Inquisitive and restless boys, the troublemakers, are sent to the school nurse, who then has a talk with the parents about ADHD. Parents then get from SSI a $450 check for their disabled child being treated with vitamin R.
and when these powers of expression bring forth a new way to discuss, think, and argue about important ideas.
Yo brain don't work well on Ritalin. Besides, few math and science majors ever teach those subjects. In reality, the football or soccer or hockey coach picks up the computer class, and he/she just teaches out of the answer book. Coach skidded through teaching college with a minor in Social Sciences or Human Services. Never had a logic class, and the last time was in a science or math class was 7th grade.
Alan Kay needs to acquaint himself with the new realities of public education.
Then people started thinking about them as fancy typewriters.
Then, databases. I remember working at a retail computer store in the late 80's and actually using the "mom can store her recipes" argument.
Somewhere in there they were seen as having the potential to be generic problem solvers. But I think that view was only ever held by developers, not users.
I think kids see the computer as a communication device. IM is the world to lots of them.
I, like many Slashdotters, saw my first computer at the age of about 10 where if you wanted a new video game you learned assembly language and wrote your own. I spend the next 20 years listening to people say things like "Oh, my 2yr old is into the computer just like you were!" Yeah, sure. The 2yr old likes to wiggle the mouse, I was hacking 6809 assembly. That's the same thing. But kids now have simply learned to see the computer for its communication ability, and don't necessarily care to see it as a machine that can be turned into new things. Sure, they like to personalize the hell out of it. Skinning your programs, generating new icons, that's all the rage. But the percentage of 10yr olds that are out there thinking about new IM programs to write is probably about the same as its always been. I've always been a firm believer that hackers are born, not made, a kid who is destined to hack will show an intuition for it from the minute she sits down at the keyboard, and a kid who isn't will be bored and distracted in programming classes.
www.HearMySoulSpeak.com
As computers become more common place humans will evolve further. We will no longer have to invest in hard core brain power, and perhaps will concentrate on a different role. If you disagree with darwinism please disregard this post entirely, I don't want to say anything but my opinion. As computers start to do some things for us we will learn how to do other things we couldn't imagine of doing right now. The question is - will we get there without losing sight of what is really important?
If I lost you, I apologize in advance - mod this down all you want :)
He says there isnt much effort in trying to improve computing.
To me, there are many efforts in several fronts.
In fact, due to the mass of information and geographic distance, many of these efforts are hard to track, even if you tried.
Or they could try being a parent. I don't know, maybe periodically keep tabs on what they're children are doing. I know it's a fairly outlandish theory in this modern day of ours, what with television being the typical mother and father these days.
You have exactly 314 seconds to come up with a less retarded plot.
Mostly, that's a myth. First, Parc was never that secretive. I got the tour and demo in 1975 while taking a class in computer architecture, years before Jobs did. Met Alan Kay and Adele Goldberg, and saw an early version of Smalltalk running a discrite-event simulation.
Second, the Lisa was the innovative machine; the Mac was a severely cost-reduced Lisa. (Remember the original Mac specs: 128K, one floppy, no hard drive, cost about $3K) The big problem back then, realized by most researchers, was that you need about a megapixel, a megabyte, and a megahertz to do a GUI system. PARC did that by having custom minicomputers built at a cost of about $40K each. (Xerox Altos were actually built by Data General, and were Data General Novas with different microcode.) Other people tried to build "workstations" that had enough hardware to do the job, but most of them ran UNIX, which was a poor platform for a GUI.
Third, what PARC had back then looked nothing like the Mac, or even like a modern GUI. It looked more like a game system; you could run one program at a time, and that program ran full-screen. You could get multiple windows going in the same Smalltalk environment, but they all belonged to the same program.
Incidentally, back then Kay described Ethernet as "Alohanet with a captive ether". It was based on a University of Hawaii VHF network well-known in the networking community at the time.
Yeah, I'd certainly agree that you aren't using electronic tools to their maximum if you are writing madly to record what someone's saying.