The B in BASIC stands for "beginner." AppleSoft BASIC on an Apple ][+ was my first programming experience -- in kindergarten (1979). I was 5, and with help from my brother and my dad, I was able to learn and program independently. When you turn a machine like that on, its default mode is just a blinking cursor and a BASIC REPL. But you could do amazing things right from BASIC with the ]['s colorful low-res graphics (and slightly less colorful hi-res graphics) using the family TV as the monitor. All the motivation I needed. Thank you Dr. Kurtz! (and Woz!)