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In the presentation "Going Back to the BASICs," Jan Krutisch explores the history and significance of the BASIC programming language, particularly in the context of early home computers. He begins by reminiscing about the era of the Altair 8800, the first home computer, and Microsoft's role in delivering BASIC software to microcomputers. The session highlights how BASIC emerged as a crucial educational tool to teach programming to non-computer science students due to its simplistic design and ease of use. Krutisch discusses the early evolution of home computers like the Commodore C64 and the Amiga, emphasizing their architectural simplicity compared to modern systems.

Key Points Discussed:
- **Background of BASIC:** BASIC originated in 1963, aimed at making programming accessible and was later adapted for smaller home computers, leading to its widespread adoption.
- **BASIC on Home Computers:** Most first-generation home computers used some variation of Microsoft BASIC, positioning it as a cornerstone of early programming.
- **Programming Experience:** Jan demonstrates programming in BASIC using a Commodore 64 emulator, showcasing its immediate execution model and the use of line numbers for code structure.
- **Technical Insights:** He discusses the limitations of BASIC, such as its reliance on global variables and lack of modern programming concepts like local variables and structured error handling.
- **Interfacing with Hardware:** The talk also delves into assembly language and the essential workings of the 6502 processor used in many early computers, explaining how BASIC programs were managed in memory.
- **Modern Implications:** Krutisch draws parallels between BASIC’s simplicity and modern programming practices, stressing the importance of understanding foundational concepts in programming and the evolution from BASIC to contemporary languages like Ruby.
- **Reflection:** The presentation concludes with insights on the importance of learning from historical programming languages and their impact on current practices, urging developers to consider the ongoing complexity of modern software systems.

The overarching takeaway from Jan’s talk is a respectful appreciation for BASIC as an influential programming language that provided a gateway to computing for many, along with a reminder of the lessons learned in resourcefulness and simplicity that still apply today.

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