But after that, I think it's time for some Ruby or Python. I did Basic at that age.
- Instant on with a high level language interpreter
- Simple architecture/ISA one can grow into
- Maybe a monitor/assembler available from the interpreter
- Powerful graphics, with simple things possible from the language, and full power available from machine code
This would be perfect for around 8-10 year old. I can't tell if I'm underestimating kids but it feels like starting with a Linux or comparable modern OS/machine just has too many layers of abstraction to get that "cozy" feeling of a micro.
> The Colour Maximite is a small and versatile single chip computer running a full featured BASIC interpreter with 128K of working memory and eight colours on a VGA monitor.
> It will work with a standard PC keyboard and because the Maximite has its own built in SD memory card and BASIC language you need nothing more to start writing and running BASIC programs.
> The Colour Maximite also has 40 input/output lines including an Arduino compatible connector. These I/Os can be independently configured as analog inputs, digital inputs or digital outputs. You can measure voltage, frequencies, detect switch closure, etc and respond by turning on lights, closing relays, etc - all under control of your BASIC program.
It's showing its age a bit, but still sounds useful.
If we're content with giving them some "best of 80s"-ideas, I think racket and/or Pharo Smalltalk is about as good as we can make it.
I'm guilty of stooping down to less powerful and futuristic systems myself - I find python to a very good mix of intuitive / simple and "real world" useful.
Other than that, I guess playing with forth in a boot loader is pretty good if what one really wants is "close to hardware":
It was texas instruments flavor of basic. Simple enough to get started, automating my math homework :) Just move right to get to the edit 'tab', and select the program you want to edit. Right once more to create a new one.
By the way, if any of you reading this happened to be the manager who decided to spend a few extra cents including explanations for if/then, for loops, variables, etc in the back of the manual, THANKS! You are probably the reason I have the career that i do today. Once I realized that an evening spent programming meant no math homework for a few weeks, I was hooked!
I think block editors work fine in a very simple situation where you have a very limited set of primitives you can use, like in the blockly exercises. I think Scratch already has way too many options to get lost in. At some point, typing becomes easier than searching through several lists of blocks.