We pledged on Kickstarter for a ZX Spectrum NEXT

I've found that a major drawback of our souped up advanced modern day computers is they are so complicated beneath the hood, that starting out programming, and controlling the machine is daunting!

Scratch and Scratch JR is about as good as it gets for starting programming, but it's over simplistic, and doesn't go far enough to control the monster that lurks within. 

Casting my mind way way back to another era, the 1980s had it's fair share of home computers that were simple, fun and easy to learn to program. People could easily knock together a simple game in BASIC and that's how the software industry for these computers actually started out. Sure, the graphics were blocky and the sound limited on the earlier computers, but with a little imagination and patience, there was a lot of fun to be had, and I certainly spent a massive time playing around and programming.

These days, we have great games like Minecraft, but you don't really learn much in the process. Don't get me started on all the ads whenever you try to play a game, and the cost of software, although probably justified in it's theatrical briliance is prohibitive.

So, when a kickstarter project came to my attention, I went for it (when I realised exactly what all the fuss was about). We pledged a ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3, and we're really looking forward to getting it sometime in December. Honestly, I haven't been this excited about something for a very long time.

So, why's it so good? Well, sparing all the fancy technical details, it's a Sinclair ZX Spectrum that you would have bought in the 80's, and you can do programming, play Spectrum games, and all the stuff you could when I was a kid. BUT There's so much more! It maintains the Spectrum compatibility in terms of both the machine hardware, and software, but has a massive upgrade in memory, graphics and sound. While not quite comparable to the a standard PC, the way it is presented encourages learning, experimentation and fun.

Maya and I are working on a game already, in the early planning stages even before our ZX Spectrum Next arrives. Unlike years ago, where computer magazines were the only real source of information, today, we're blessed with Facebook groups and we resources. If you're interested in knowing more about the ZX Spectrum Next, check out their resouce website: https://www.specnext.com/