Another ~1960 computer kit

I've never used them (or seen the Web page). However, there is hope. In the thread about Xerox and Smalltalk, I think someone (Hans P.?) mentioned Squeak. (I'm not going to check my archives now, since my compiler is due in a couple of hours and the final exam comes right after that!) Squeak is a free version of Smalltalk, very faithful to the original Xerox plan, with full source. (It was written at Apple in an apparemtn momemt of generosity -- I wish the Mac weren't such a closed platform to get a compiler for.) What does this have to do with Lego Mindstorms? Well, someone is working on a Smalltalk interface to Lego Mindstorms! (Unless my brain is fried, that is.) I forget if it requires a commercial Smalltalk, but I suspect people are interested in porting it to Squeak. I couldn't find the details -- the articles seem to have expired. And I'm not going through my files (see above -- anyway they're at home and I'm not). But this is a very good sign for education. Besides, I really like Squeak. I hated VisualWorks (an expanded, refined descendant of the original Xerox Smalltalk) when I used it in class. But Squeak is a lot more manageable, and it helps to be able to tinker instead of worrying about doing homework. I really wish someone would write an Alto or other Xerox workstation simulator, but until then, Squeak may be the best approximation to using an Alto. It really doesn't come close though. (It has color and much more processing power; it lacks the underlying Xerox Executive; and there's no 5-key set!) If the interface is ported to Squeak, you should be able to use your UNIX machine or whatever else you can manage. Have you built a differential analyzer yet? -- Derek