Just checking some html for class.

Here is a quotation regarding Alan Kay that summarizes him or his contributions.



The best way to predict the future is to invent it.





Information about where the quote was located (URLs, publication information, etc.)



answers.com





Here are two or three things that impress me about Kay from reading about him in Tools for Thought, seeing him in the video, and reading his work.

   

    *He created something called the Dynabook, which is basically the early design of the laptop. I thought it was interesting that he did this towards the beginning of his career and now later in life heís been doing the hundred dollar laptop and things of that sort.





    *He designed the windowing GUI. I thought this was very interesting because he did this back in the 80ís for Apple which it was then picked up by Microsoft and we are still using it to this day.





    *Founded Viewpoints Research Institutes. Itís a non profit company that focuses on children, learning, and software development. From what I can find I believe he is still in charge of Viewpoints.



Here is a summary of what I think is important to remember about Alan Kay and the contributions he made:



This is a guy who has spent a good part of his life trying to make technology easier for us to use (the laptop, laser printers, Window GUI, etc.) Now that technology is easier for people to use his focus seems to have shifted to getting that technology into everyoneís hands and teaching them how to use it (One laptop per child, hundred dollar laptop, Viewpoints Research Institute). He also believes that the PC needs to finally evolve. He wants us to be able to use the computer as a way to help us learn and think in new ways. I believe it was Tools for Thought that referred to it as the fantasy amplifier. Thatís the perfect way to think of Kayís goal, he wants the personal computer to amplify our imaginations.









Here are some additional web links that are related to the life and work of Alan Kay.



    answers.com

    Name of Link: answers.com

    Comment about the link: Great link. So much useful information and in a format that makes it easy to read.





    Art Museum

        Name of Link: Art Museum

        Comment about the link: Really bare-boned actually had some useful things about him but it was the most basic things he did nothing more.





    ACM Queue

        Name of Link: ACM Queue

    Comment about the link: Not bad had some things about his time at Xerox that other links didnít mention. Not a lot of info but whatís there is good stuff.



     Alan Kay: The PC Must Be Revamped Now

    Name of Link: Alan Kay: The PC Must Be RevampedóNow

    Comment about the link: Very interesting read about Kayís views on the PC and where the industry needs to go.



    Squeak land

    Name of Link: Squeak land

    Comment about the link: Pretty straight forward summary of Alan Kayís accomplishments so far.