On 1999-05-28 [EMAIL PROTECTED] <Or Botton> said:
>>A lot of children hate learning how to read, too, but how many
>>parents give in to their children's whining by offering them
>>crayons and paper instead?
>The problem is not that they "hate to learn".
>The problem is that a "home computer" is being spread as a utility
>that is functioning like a multi-practical toaster. You dont have
>to learn complex commands and a new interface to operate a toaster.
Even toasters break down. So far, computers aren't so cheap that if one
stops "toasting", you toss it in the garbage and buy another one without
bothering to see if you can fix it. A society that prefers its children to
use and trash instead of learn and build will be used and trashed by its
children.
>He would prefer if it will be all manageable under one simple to
>use interface, that doesnt require almost any learning but the most
>basic explanation. That was the reason why he/she bought the
>computer. Unfortunatly, the home PC is much more then that, and
>unfortunatly, I cannot think of any "easy way" to access the more
>complex features. Luckly, most users do not concider these features.
>Those who do, will have to learn.
The perception that computers are supposed to eliminate the effort required
for us to learn is ridiculous. Computers cannot "learn" for us. But if we
expend a reasonable amount of effort to learn how to use them properly, they
allow us to save a lot of time and effort in other tasks later on. Anything
beyond that is lazy fantasizing -- like wasting money on a lottery and
hoping to win millions and retire forever. Feh!
>This is why I think that discussing DOS based GUIs is quite
>relevant and even quite imporant. Because unless SurvPCs
>will also have away to "appeal the masses", these things will
>continue to be concidered as "weird stuff" and "things that only
>geeks use".
The cultivation of high quality learning skills may not have the greatest
"mass appeal", but it still remains the best ideal for which we should
strive.
I'd rather be right than popular any day. For me, that's the appeal of
making the most out of SurvPCs.
Jerry
Internet Montana
-*- Take life seriously: Work more and worry less!
Net-Tamer V 1.11.2 - Registered
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