RE: Forever Language

I think folks kind of sleep on the original Hypertalk.  Not only did
it have a more naturalistic 'This is the list of things I want to
happen' kind of approach, but it kept colloquialisms and variations of
saying the same thing (at least in English) as part of the syntax.  It
also referenced directly the word 'me' and 'it', so that shorthand "I
already know what you're talking about' is imbedded into the syntax.
For instance, "Add Dude and Chick and divide it by 3."

I think if we're going to talk naturalistic languages and interpreters
while absolutely ignoring speed because speed can be taken care of
these days, then I think Hypertalk in it's original incarnation is
worth a look. Granted, it's use was very much tied to it's context.

I feel like the forever computer would benefit from being FPGA based
because presumably, treating it like a virtual processor means that
manufacturers would be irrelevant.  SO from a future-proof
perspective, I think this is a good way to go.  It also allows going
'off the map' in terms of how the CPU architecture can run.  It
doesn't have to be derivative of anything existing now.  Sure, at the
moment FPGA's aren't going to out perform an intel chip, and maybe
never will, realistically, but if the goal is for a different
experience altogether, I don't see that necessarily as a problem.  The
only thing it means is cutting edge games might be out of the
question, and folks doing scientific research might have to chain a
couple of forever computers to calculate extreme problems at a rate
that can be done on a stock mass produced CPU.

I agree that anything specific when it comes to software is probably
not a good way to go about a forever computer because, as a wiseman
once said, "The best way to predict the future is to invent it",
meaning if anything software-wise is done using existing paradigms,
it's already doomed to not be the 'forever computer'.  Instead, it'd
be more useful to think about trends software is taking, maybe do some
brainstorming on where it's failing to connect with a person to make
them a more power-user type instead of a consumer, etc. Because if we
use what's here now, it's already on it's way to rotting and
shrivelling up to be taken over by something else.  And this is a
discussion about a dream project, so instead of dreaming about the
computers out now that we've seen and don't have, why not actually
discuss real dreams, things that computers can't even do right now
that would conceptually do what the forever computer is setting out to

I'm aware of OLPC and am a huge fan of Etoys. I've used it extensively
for just noodling around and playing with concepts that were otherwise
kind of out of my league and, to be honest, interest in terms of
programming. I took programming throughout junior and high school, but
I find it tedious and very voodoo like...I push a pin in the doll
here, then go outside and find the guy I was trying to hurt only to
find I gave him a massage instead and it wasn't even the right guy, so
I run back home and try again.  That's how 'traditional' programming
feels, and it's not so enjoyable.

But yes, today, in the states, 'smart phones' are very much clout
devices and something to watch movies on, which is also, to me,
bastardizing movies... a film by a director is almost never intended
to be seen a postcard sized machine with a screachy speaker, it was

I read the other threads on what should be in/shouldn't be in the
software/hardware of the Forever Computer and, with no intent to
ruffle feathers, I think things like, 'what OS' is kind of beside the
point. If it's going to be a forever computer, it really shouldn't
have anything available right now, if I'm to be completely honest,
unless it's simply for 'compatibility with the outside world as it
exists.' What I mean is, discussing linux or BSD right now is not
really answering the question 'what should be on it'.

So first off, I really like the updated ideas posited by Lionel based
on his observations of keyboard and screens.  For me, first and
foremost, I feel like an eInk display is a must. One of the things I
hate most about using computers is the monitor itself. Long usage of
staring at a lightbulb is not fun. For the graphics work I do, it's

I sent Lionel a lengthy email regarding his Forever Computer essay and
he invited me to join the group in discussing this, like perpetual
vaporware, concept.  So here I am with a lengthy first post, because
already I see there's some talk about what to put on or not to put on
this device, but I think there's a missing step...or maybe I don't
understand the target of the Forever Computer...? So...here goes.

I'm a bit of a dork when it comes to pop culture, marketing,
technology, media, etc. and I'm also a computer enthusiast of sorts
but work daily with people who are absolutely not, including people
that can barely figure out how to use their cell phones to send us an
email in the shop so we can process whatever it is they need processing.

Without being to heavy handed about it, there's people that want and