On 1999-05-29 [EMAIL PROTECTED] <Or Botton> said:
>>A good understanding of a computer's hardware and how it is
>>manipulated by the commands of its operating system enables the
>>user to practice good ...
>Do you really need to learn how the VCR is working from the inside
>before using it?
Basically you should -- especially if you've never used one and don't want
to ruin it. That's the purpose of manuals. Manuals offer directions for
VCRs, computers and toasters. They usually offer decent overviews of the
product you've purchased and how to maintain it for maximum benefit.
>>The "typical John Doe" is going to have to go to school and be
>>expected to do all of his homework like everyone else. Some will
>>do better, some will do worse. Computer skills will eventually
>>be a common subject in school, like reading and math.
>Oh, it is allready, in my country. Although the highest computer
>skills required here are turning the computer On, finding your way
>in the Start menu to run Word 97 ...
>The greatest experts are those who even know (gasp!) how to change
>the wallpaper in Windows 95.
A great hindrance with learning the computer is not at all related to the
"strangeness" of understanding a computer's logic or an OS "language". It's
typing. Even if voice recognition gains wider use and perfection, it still
won't be practical in a classroom setting. So if we consider two
fundamental problems involved with gaining computer skills, they have long
existed before computers! They are typing and language skills.
So we must approach the problem of teaching computer skills in the same way
we would teach typing and language skills. The typing skill would involve
careful eye-hand coordination exercises (most of us are probably familiar
with these); the "language" skill would take the form of carefully
constructed lessons to gradually condition the student to comprehend the
logic and terminology commonly associated with the human/computer
interactive environment -- and the DOS language environment would likely be
the most user-friendly vehicle toward this end.
>>Can you suggest a computer OS that is both popular and "correct"?
>Never heard of it.
Let's suggest a computer "language" that is neither popular nor "correct",
but highly practical and relevant, nonetheless: DOS.
We might compare DOS to grammar. Grammar isn't that popular or attractive,
but it is universally necessary in understanding *any* language.
Interestingly, without DOS, virtually all of Microsoft's GUIs wouldn't
function. What's more fundamental here: the GUI or DOS?
The discussions we have on the SurvPC list are an excellent illustration of
our appreciation for and explanation of these basic computer software and
hardware issues. By demonstrating here over and over how much we can do
with so little resources, we exemplify the purest and clearest approach
toward quality computing instruction.
>Problem is, there are not plany of good GUIs for DOS, which can
>run on SurvPCs, and talking and developing GUIs for such platforms
>can only help, as the "simple" interface is one of the last barriers
>that keep away the "john doe"s. Like it or not, they want it.
>You keep persisting over the point that we must "show them", if I
>understood correctly. Ok. Try to get a newbie to use the CLI and
>see for yourself how "easy" it is.
Let's not get overly obsessed with finding the quickest and easiest way for
average individuals to accept computers into their way of life. Let's
strive for the best way and sacrifice whatever time necessary to make it a
lasting reality.
Jerry
Internet Montana
-*- Why are we in such a hurry? Let's make haste slowly!
Net-Tamer V 1.11.2 - Registered
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