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antirez/load81

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SDL based Lua programming environment for kids similar to Codea

55 mentions on Hacker News by 23 people: 3 stories, 52 comments · first 2012-03-05 · latest 2026-06-15

Mentions per year 55 mentions · busiest year 2012 (8)
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  1. …threads and SQLite support to LOAD81 alongside the other goodies, just for the fun of it .. [1]- https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by MomsAVoxell · 2026-06-15 · in Boot Naked Linux
  2. antirez' LOAD81 never gets enough love in these discussions even though it is simply awesome: https://github.com/antirez/load81 Anyone looking at Lua/SDL/game engines would learn a lot from antirez' fun little afternoon project ..
    comment by rigonkulous · 2026-04-06 · in LÖVE: 2D Game Framework for Lua
  3. I’m a bit partial to antirez’ LOAD81 editor, myself .. https://github.com/antirez/LOAD81 .. but that’s mostly because LOAD81 is just fully great as well .. I’ll have to dig into kilo a bit and see how antirez’ two editors compare with each…
    comment by MomsAVoxell · 2026-03-13 · in Writing my own text editor, and daily-driving it
  4. See also the wonderful LOAD81 from antirez: https://github.com/antirez/load81 I've fantasised about turning LOAD81 into a much more full-featured development/execution environment for years, and have done a fair bit of work on extending it…
    comment by aa-jv · 2025-07-16 · in Show HN: Bedrock – An 8-bit computing system for running programs anywhere
  5. …to give to kids and the elderly, alike, to inspire them to rekindle their love of programming: https://github.com/antirez/LOAD81 It has all the bells and whistles of a BASIC environment - easy, simple editing, fast switching between code…
    comment by MomsAVoxell · 2025-04-24 · in 101 BASIC Computer Games
  6. …= antirez' LOAD81, which I have long thought of as a fun way to build a new userspace front-end: https://github.com/antirez/LOAD81.git
    comment by helpfulContrib · 2024-04-21 · in Lunatik: Lunatik is a framework for scripting the Linux kernel with Lua
  7. I had quite some success applying my own LOAD81 to a few children. https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by antirez · 2023-10-03 · in PicoCalc: A fully-functional clone of VisiCalc for the PICO-8
  8. LOAD81 could probably use some eyeballs: https://github.com/antirez/load81.git
    comment by helpfulContrib · 2023-10-02 · in Publishing my first game using PICO-8
  9. …(Lua) https://hallucino.itch.io/px8 (Lua/Python) https://liko-12.github.io/ (Lua) https://github.com/antirez/load81 (Lua) https://wasm4.org/ (WASM)
    comment by niutech · 2023-09-17 · in LÖVE: a framework to make 2D games in Lua
  10. And also Load81 by Antirez: https://github.com/antirez/load81 (Lua).
    comment by marttt · 2023-09-13 · in LÖVE: a framework to make 2D games in Lua
  11. ….. ;) Imagine we have a network of LOAD81 users who share Lua bytecode instead of HTML .. hmm .. https://github.com/antirez/load81.git
    comment by boffinAudio · 2023-05-10 · in Story: Redis and its creator antirez
  12. …- which is a great example of just how powerful things can get when you bring Lua into your life. ( http://github.com/antirez/load81.git ) - note that this is a great project to learn this technique, but if you do anything interesting in…
    comment by aa-jv · 2023-02-14 · in Using Lua with C++
  13. …be of interest for this as well, it’s a commodore-like console interface for Lua, made by antirez: https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by oliwary · 2022-10-23 · in The Raspberry Pi 400 in My Bedroom
  14. Cool! Antirez built one for Lua: https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by oliwary · 2022-09-28 · in Snakeware – Linux distro with Python userspace inspired by Commodore 64
  15. …wanted to take antirez' LOAD81 and turn it into a full-blown user execution environment/desktop: http://github.com/antirez/load81.git It also has a C64-inspired interface to a REPL (Lua, yay!) - and it wouldn't need a lot of effort to…
    comment by boffinAudio · 2022-09-28 · in Snakeware – Linux distro with Python userspace inspired by Commodore 64
  16. LOAD81: http://github.com/antirez/load81 Pretty much the bees knees to run on older laptops ..
    comment by aa-jv · 2022-02-04 · in Ask HN: How can I make a “kid's computer” today as good as an Apple II?
  17. …when I showed these to him. Load81 by antirez is a similar Lua environment without the constraints: https://github.com/antirez/load81 Or, why not put together a low-cost computer/Z80-like terminal with your son, like the RC2014 that runs…
    comment by marttt · 2022-01-15 · in Ask HN: How do you teach 9-year old to code?
  18. …with installing 1 thing, playing a game, breaking into the source and changing code on the fly. [0] https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by tluyben2 · 2021-11-16 · in Teliva – an environment for end-user programming
  19. …traveling and a few of my friends said their kids picked it up as easily as they did Basic. [0] https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by tluyben2 · 2020-11-29 · in 30 years later, QBasic is still the best
  20. …boot to a single-language environment which appeals to me more and more as the decades go by. [1] http://github.com/antirez/load81.git [2] http://tekui.neoscientists.org
    comment by fit2rule · 2020-06-02 · in Snakeware – Linux distro with Python userspace inspired by Commodore 64
  21. …[1], for example, to build an operating environment with a fat library of functionality .. [1] - http://github.com/antirez/load81.git
    comment by fit2rule · 2020-01-04 · in Swift as a C Language REPL
  22. …a fantasy console for his kids, motivated I think, by the same forces that prompted your lament: http://github.com/antirez/load81.git .. dig in, submit a PR, and leave the despair behind. Your kids can still learn computing just as you did…
    comment by fit2rule · 2019-02-09 · in Orca – Live Programming Environment
  23. Linux machines can easily be rigged to boot straight to a user, with LOAD81 in auto-start. http://github.com/antirez/load81.git {{I like to pimp LOAD81 any chance I can get, because its simply a great idea from a rockstar programmer, and…
    comment by fit2rule · 2018-10-17 · in Ask HN: Is there a modern “power on to basic” computer, for kids to learn on?
  24. …the aesthetic. So another thing you can do is load up an old laptop with antirez' wonderful LOAD81: http://github.com/antirez/load81.git We have a Toshiba tough-book running puppy booting directly to LOAD81. This is a modern version; and…
    comment by fit2rule · 2018-10-17 · in Ask HN: Is there a modern “power on to basic” computer, for kids to learn on?
  25. …to solve this problem with the modern tools of Lua and SDL wrapped in a simple IDE. Check it out: https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by sevengraff · 2018-05-27 · in 30 years later, QBasic is still the best
  26. There's also antirez' LOAD81: http://github.com/antirez/load81 And .. as its open source (unlike TIC-80 or PICO-8), its quite possible to add features and extend the console in interesting ways ..
    comment by fit2rule · 2018-05-03 · in TIC-80, a fantasy computer to learn programming
  27. …but I think there are a lot of wise nuggets in this project that other developers could learn from. http://github.com/antirez/load81.git
    comment by mmjaa · 2018-03-16 · in Writing System Software [video]
  28. …on the environment in which you stick it, though. Take a look at antirez' LOAD81 for example: http://github.com/antirez/load81.git
    comment by mmjaa · 2018-01-18 · in Fuze for Nintendo Switch: An easy-to-learn text-based programming language
  29. A similar project, uses SDL, is open source, and came from antirez (of redis fame), LOAD81: http://github.com/antirez/load81.git
    comment by mmjaa · 2017-05-30 · in MoonScript, a programmer friendly language that compiles to Lua
  30. I had good results with two children using something I wrote for this purpose: http://github.com/antirez/load81 . Simple instructions doing something graphical was BASIC selling point, and how many children in the 80s learned, and IMHO…
    comment by antirez · 2017-01-27 · in Ask HN: How to best teach a group of children how to code?
  31. …this[0] on small Linux systems; easy to set up so you get that C64 feel in a modern setting. [0] https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by tluyben2 · 2016-11-13 · in World of Commodore 2016
  32. Something that kind of mimics the C64 experience is load81: https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by bartbes · 2016-05-16 · in How computer programming languages for kids have evolved and where they're going
  33. …of the scene very well: http://pico8fanzine.bigcartel.com Another big hit is LOAD81, from antirez: http://github.com/antirez/load81 This, I think, is better than QBasic, in that it has all the same functionality in the IDE, but teaches…
    comment by fit2rule · 2016-05-05 · in 30 years later, QBasic is still the best
  34. …is another of these "throwback to the times when computing was easier" style of user interfaces: http://github.com/antirez/load81 Fun stuff! :)
    comment by fit2rule · 2016-02-29 · in PICO-8 for Raspberry Pi
  35. …from now. You and I live at a time where every new day is the best day ever to learn to code. [1] https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by interpol_p · 2016-01-24 · in The Computer Revolution Has yet to Happen
  36. …a little bit of antirez' LOAD81 environment which is also, a bit of a retro programming experience: http://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by fit2rule · 2015-10-02 · in PICO-8
  37. load81 by the author or Redis. It does not get any more elegant than this! https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by euroclydon · 2015-06-13 · in Ask HN: My 12 year old nephew wants to make a game, how do I help him?
  38. My current 'favourite' Lua-based editor is antirez' LOAD81: http://github.com/antirez/load81 In short, long live the next editor! :)
    comment by fit2rule · 2015-05-12 · in ZeroBrane Lua IDE v1.00 released
  39. …(in SDL) and the Lua language together and gives young minds a nice place to explore programming: http://github.com/antirez/load81.git imho, even this little project reflects the 'weird italian' way of doing things .. ;) It is short ..…
    comment by fit2rule · 2014-12-22 · in Salvatore Sanfilippo, the author of Redis: from Sicily with talent and passion
  40. …guys did well, back in the day. (Which is why I think that things like LOAD81 are so darn cool .. ;) http://github.com/antirez/load81 )
    comment by fit2rule · 2014-09-02 · in Lost Lessons from 8-Bit BASIC
  41. ….. it certainly provides the same degree of sophistication, and includes a great built-in editor: http://github.com/antirez/load81 (BTW, yes: its written by that antirez .. ;)
    comment by fit2rule · 2014-06-20 · in A framework for making 2D DOS games in Lua
  42. In the same spirit, you should check out LOAD81 (from antirez, the redis guy): http://github.com/antirez/load81 Really wonderful toy!
    comment by fit2rule · 2014-04-30 · in Fifty Years of BASIC
  43. I've been trying to find a way to do it with LuaJIT. Putting something like LOAD81 ( http://github.com/antirez/load81 ) on a business card would be awesome ..
    comment by fit2rule · 2014-03-02 · in Arduboy: The Interactive Digital Business Card
  44. …:) EDIT: In case its of interest, if I can get what I need onboard to build and run LOAD81 (see http://github.com/antirez/load81 ) then I'll be in heaven .. ancient hardware re-tasked with a Lua front-end! Fabulous new old toy!
    comment by primitur · 2013-05-17 · in Review: CrunchBang – Linux 11 "Waldorf"
  45. …a circle or checking where the mouse pointer is trivial . [1] http://twolivesleft.com/Codea/ [2] https://github.com/antirez/load81
    comment by antirez · 2013-02-26 · in Zuck, Bill Gates, Jack Dorsey In Short Film To Inspire Kids To Learn How To Code
  46. I just wanted to add that the LOAD81 project is another great way to learn Lua: http://github.com/antirez/load81 (Yes, that antirez..) I strongly encourage anyone who wants to learn Lua to check out LOAD81 - its a lot simpler than MOAI,…
    comment by primitur · 2012-12-27 · in New school C
  47. …of the device out of the box, would be better serviced once they get LOAD81 installed on it? http://github.com/antirez/load81 Just an idea ..
    comment by primitur · 2012-09-03 · in Founder explains the Raspberry Pi journey so far
  48. typo in link, fixed: https://github.com/antirez/load81 (and thanks!)
    comment by tremendo · 2012-08-30 · in Teaching my 10 year old niece how to program.
  49. Along similar lines, antirez' LOAD81: http://github.com/antirez/load81 Lua sure is a lovely language for this sort of thing!
    comment by primitur · 2012-08-10 · in Lua-quick-try-out : A simple, low-barrier Lua IDE
  50. …and other - applications with the device itself and nothing else . You can use things like LOAD81 ( http://github.com/antirez/load81/ ) on the Pandora http://repo.openpandora.org/?page=detail&app=LOAD81 , and it really rocks. You can put…
    comment by primitur · 2012-07-10 · in Ouya: A New Kind of Video Game Console