[thelist] how did you learn?

[Rob Smith]

<smart-ass comment>My first programming experience was in the 3rd grade (17
years ago) I was handed a sheet of instructions to type out ASCII art on a
typewriter...one line at a time. It was a snowman:
1. 17 spaces, 3 x's, return
2. 16 spaces, 5 x's, return
3. 16 spaces, 1 x, 1 space, 1 x, 1 space, 1 x, return
4. 16 spaces, 2 x's, 1 0, 2 x's, return
5. 17 spaces, 3 x's, return
...
                 xxx
                xxxxx
                x x x
                xx0xx
                 xxx
</smart-ass comment>

you get the idea. I also had access to a witch, a christmas tree, and a
happy face. It would keep me busy for hours. I suppose that's what you do to
aspiring 8-9 year olds.

- Rob