With the recent revival of a PDP-1 hitting the news, I was wondering if we're going to see a revival in hand-made computing - i.e. systems you really can build yourself from raw components. It seems feasible to me - an ex-boss once impressed me highly by unveiling a full-blown computer he'd made from some recycled relays, and while it wasn't going to kick any ass in the speed department, it was certainly capable of calculating my 6-year olds' homework.<p>Would be great to see a kit computer, of this scale of old-school, hit the scene some day .. I wonder if it would be viable? I'd certainly buy it .. it'd fit next to my rack-mount modular synth. ;)
For anyone who doesn't know - Linux Voice is the new magazine that was crowdfunded on Indiegogo a few months back.<p>They've put out three issues so far (this article is from the second issue - next is Alan Turing) and I can honestly say I'm very happy that I bought a subscription. It's well worth a look.
In a military organization, clarity of communication is critical and Hopper had the right idea about language design. Something echoed by Ableson and Sussman and reflected in their choice of Scheme for it's Newtonian lack of complications.<p>Without even looking at a book or working through a tutorial, I found that I could read and understand the Flowmatic program the first time I saw it. No surprise that it failed. Too much risk that a pointy haired boss could accurately identify an uncaught bug. Nothing offers job security like obfuscating simple ideas.
One of the most fascinating people in the early development of language design.<p>Can't wait to get that lone, VB6-based UNIVAC emulator a shot. :) Hopefully I can get the source in case it needs any defishing.