At the time (1990), it seemed as if most children had begun to play computer games. We however had other ideas, and told Wills that if he wanted to play such things, he'd have to make his own.
His first attempt was called Cavern Capers. It was a typical early computer game with bombs dropping, and people rushing around trying to avoid them. He soon improved upon this with Cavern Capers 2, and Cavern Capers 3. I don't remember how many versions there were.
Wills found that programming came easily to him; it seemed as if his brain was designed expressly.
Nowadays he designs highly complicated 'infallible' FX trading programmes.
I think our reluctance to buy him those games was right; he certainly discovered a talent that otherwise might not have surfaced. There's a moral in there somewhere!
Independent thought is most lacking in university students today. Looks like this would not have been the case with Wills.
ReplyDeleteGames and forex trading programmes are the same thing I believe.
The main difference being that he makes decent dosh from the latter.
DeleteLot of money to be made from designing games! But I suspect it would be just as dull and more chancy.
DeleteOur late son Andrew started by programming his ZX Spectrum and discovered he had a natural talent for it. He became a programmer and was completing his doctorate in computer science when he died.
ReplyDeleteWills' first Uni course was studying Physics and Astro Physics, but quit because it was going too slowly. I'm sorry to hear about your son; a tragedy.
DeleteMy thinking exactly Cro and as a retired teacher I would add - if only all parents thought along those lines.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite shocked by the amount of very young children who sit in front of their iPads all day.
DeleteOur eldest son was very interested in programming from an early age ( 12/13). He went to Balliol and did " computation" and has made a good living since as a software engineer.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to gel with some people at a very early age. It leaves me cold!
DeleteI did the same with my son,later he was so bord at school that he left before he finished it.
ReplyDeleteFor some people nothing goes fast enough. My Wills was like that.
DeleteWhen Amstrad was going, Alan Sugar said that computers would never properly take off in the ordinary household. Now he is deciding if other people's business ideas are good or not.
ReplyDeleteAs a Billionaire East End boy, he's done quite well for himself.
DeleteBravo to Wills, then and now, along with some praise to his parents.
ReplyDeleteIn my last year of college (university) I was recruited to be trained as a programmer by a very large corporation. I saw it as a way to be brought to New York. Programming was interesting for a few years, but art interested me more.
It all seems a long time ago.
Best wishes.
Art College seems a long time ago to me too; I'd love to go back.
DeleteTwo sons, the eldest and his wife careers in manual labor. His brother and spouse both careers that are very computer techie.
ReplyDeleteNice to have some variety in the family!
DeleteThis reminds me of our daughter. When she was about 16, she found THE perfect car...in a field with weeds growing up through the floorboards, a 1968 Chevy Camaro. She talked to her dad about rebuilding it from the ground up. He agreed. On one condition. She had to buy the parts and they would work on it together. It took them two years and she had to work two jobs after each school day and weekends. The added benefits --the bond it created between them and the mechanical knowledge she gained. She kept it for 30 years but when he died three years ago, seeing it was just too painful. She sold it to a person she knew and one who would cherish it as she did for $25,000 cash. Her dad was always so proud that she saw it through.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. I'm afraid my cars have to be in perfect working order; I wouldn't have a clue otherwise.
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