Monorepo for Aesthetic.Computer
aesthetic.computer
1# Aesthetic Computer Gift Page Research Report
2
3**Created:** January 2025
4**Purpose:** Document why AC matters, what's been accomplished, what's coming, and why support is needed
5
6---
7
8## 🎨 What is Aesthetic Computer?
9
10Aesthetic Computer is a **mobile-first runtime and social network for creative computing**—a platform where anyone can make, share, and play with interactive software toys.
11
12Think of it like a musical instrument: users discover their own paths through the network of commands and published pieces. As they grow their literacy through play and exploration, they can improvise, recombine, and expand their creative repertoire.
13
14### Origin Story
15
16- **2020 (COVID):** Jeffrey created [No Paint](https://nopaint.art), a free painting app that [reached the front page of Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23546706)
17- No Paint users started contributing custom pixel stamps and brushes
18- Non-technical users learned about computing through contributing to software they loved
19- **2021:** Jeffrey started writing Aesthetic Computer to solve the friction—a system with:
20 - Mobile-first defaults
21 - JavaScript API for creative coding
22 - Networked multiplayer
23 - Social handle system for publishing
24
25---
26
27## 📊 Community Statistics
28
29Data from the live MongoDB database shows real community engagement:
30
31| Metric | Count |
32|--------|-------|
33| **Registered Users** | 4,217 |
34| **Unique Handles** | 2,723 |
35| **Chat Messages (main)** | 17,508 |
36| **Chat Messages (Danish community)** | 9,458 |
37| **Saved Paintings** | 4,280 |
38| **KidLisp Programs** | 12,933 |
39| **User Moods** | 2,832 |
40| **Tapes (recordings)** | 95 |
41
42---
43
44## 🇩🇰 Danish Community: R8dio & Laer-Klokken
45
46One of AC's most vibrant communities emerged organically in Denmark:
47
48### R8dio.dk Integration
49- **`r8dio`** piece connects to Danish talk radio streaming
50- 32-bar audio visualizer synced to broadcast
51- Real-time listener experience
52
53### Laer-Klokken ("Learn the Clock")
54- Educational piece for Danish children learning to tell time
55- Active community chat with **9,458+ messages**
56- Teachers and kids using AC in Danish classrooms
57- Community members helping each other learn
58
59This wasn't planned—it emerged because the platform was open enough for a community to form around their own needs.
60
61---
62
63## 🎹 Featured Work: Notepat
64
65**Notepat** is AC's most beloved piece—a musical instrument that lets anyone play melodies.
66
67- [Featured on Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41526754) in 2024
68- Simple interface: tap squares to create tones
69- Works on any device with a browser
70- Demonstrates AC's core philosophy: simple tools, deep expression
71
72---
73
74## 🧒 Coming Soon: KidLisp.com
75
76**KidLisp** is a new visual programming language launching on [kidlisp.com](https://kidlisp.com):
77
78> "Friendly coding for everyone"
79
80### What is KidLisp?
81
82A minimal Lisp dialect designed for creating generative art and interactive experiences. It's beginner-friendly but powerful enough for real creative work.
83
84### Language Features
85
86**118 functions across 12 categories:**
87- Graphics: `wipe`, `ink`, `line`, `box`, `circle`, `shape`, `text`
88- Animation: `wiggle`, `zoom`, `spin`, `wave`, `pulse`
89- Interaction: `tap`, `drag`, `keyboard`
90- Sound: `sound`, `synth`
91- Math: `rand`, `clamp`, `sin`, `cos`
92- Control: `repeat`, `later`, `every`
93- And more...
94
95### Example
96```lisp
97(wipe "black")
98(ink "yellow")
99(circle width/2 height/2 100)
100(repeat 12 i
101 (ink (rainbow i/12))
102 (line width/2 height/2
103 (+ width/2 (* 90 (cos (* i 30))))
104 (+ height/2 (* 90 (sin (* i 30))))))
105```
106
107### Community Impact
108- **12,933** KidLisp programs already saved in the database
109- Kid-friendly syntax removes barriers to creative coding
110- Works on phones, tablets, computers—anywhere
111
112---
113
114## 🔧 Technical Infrastructure
115
116AC runs on a complex infrastructure that costs money monthly:
117
118### Services
119- **Netlify** — Static hosting and edge functions
120- **MongoDB Atlas** — Database for users, paintings, chat, KidLisp programs
121- **Jamsocket** — Real-time session server for multiplayer
122- **Redis** — Caching and real-time data
123- **Cloudflare R2** — Asset storage
124- **Shopify** — Shop integration
125- **Stripe** — Payments
126
127### Open Source
128The entire codebase is [open on GitHub](https://github.com/whistlegraph/aesthetic-computer), including:
129- Client runtime
130- Server infrastructure
131- All built-in pieces
132- KidLisp interpreter
133- Session server
134
135---
136
137## 💡 Why This Matters
138
139### For Education
140- Teachers use AC to introduce creative coding
141- No installation required—just a URL
142- Works on classroom devices (phones, Chromebooks, tablets)
143- Danish schools actively using laer-klokken
144
145### For Artists
146- Publish interactive work without friction
147- URL-addressable pieces for portfolios
148- Real community of creative coders
149
150### For Everyone
151- Computing should be playful and accessible
152- The web should be a place for experimentation
153- Simple tools can enable deep expression
154
155---
156
157## 🆘 Why Support is Needed
158
159Jeffrey has been building Aesthetic Computer since 2021—solo. The infrastructure costs real money every month, and the development continues full-time.
160
161### What Your Gift Supports
162- Server costs (databases, hosting, edge computing)
163- Continued development of new pieces and features
164- KidLisp.com launch and documentation
165- Community growth and moderation tools
166- Mobile app development
167
168### The Mission
169Keep creative computing open, accessible, and free for everyone—especially kids, students, and anyone curious about making things with code.
170
171---
172
173## 🔗 Links
174
175- Main site: [aesthetic.computer](https://aesthetic.computer)
176- KidLisp: [kidlisp.com](https://kidlisp.com)
177- Shop: [shop.aesthetic.computer](https://shop.aesthetic.computer)
178- GitHub: [github.com/whistlegraph/aesthetic-computer](https://github.com/whistlegraph/aesthetic-computer)
179- Jeffrey's site: [jas.life](https://jas.life)