On 1999-06-15 [EMAIL PROTECTED] <Or Botton> said:
>In this partly related letter, I would like to mention my
>thoughts on the current intresting in computers.
>Seems like since the internet became more popular in the scene,
>the general population intrest in Computers have raised. Either from
>the increasing "encounters" of sites and computers with crackers,
>or the general fact that the computer is catching a good position
>as a communication device, Computers are currently a hot topic.
>Thing is, I got a strange feeling that might be just a phase.
>Whatever is the reason, right now the main intrest is computers and
>technology in general.
Thank you for bringing up this important topic. When I remember the things
that first attracted me to the computer, it makes me smile at how my
interest in it has changed, as well as my outlook for computers now.
About fifteen years ago, I became interested in adding to my knowledge of
mathematics with self-help books (I didn't do well with the subject in
school, and I didn't like the way it was taught there). After a measure of
satisfaction with my progress with that subject, I was fascinated with the
new solar-powered calculators and bought a *very* basic calculator with this
new technology -- that would fit in my front pocket! -- for a *mere* twenty
dollars. That led to a purchase of a scientific calculator -- then a
graphics calculator. Finally, I became intrigued with how some of the more
expensive calculators could actually compute with *symbolic* algebra! But
instead of buying one of those, an affordable, portable computer caught my
attention -- also, a computer program that could perform symbolic algebra at
a far less expensive solution than a $200 calculator. (That is, the
software was cheap -- but the computer wasn't near as cheap.) Anyway, the
point is that my fascination with math, calculators and gadgets got my
computer interest going. I doubt that this would be a typical reason for
most people becoming interested in computers at the present time.
Nonetheless, after that experience, my greatest excitement in the computer
came with the *online service* era; I didn't get involved at first with any
of the new BBSes -- instead, I joined CompuServe (1993) before they offered
Internet service. It was still expensive, even without the Internet. I was
absolutely captivated with the ability to communicate so widely with people
from all over the world with so many subjects! And that *should* be the
biggest attention-getter for those considering the value of the computer:
fast, inexpensive communications and data exchange/sharing. There's just
nothing as quick and comprehensive and affordable as this combination. This
phenomenon is an incredible information/education explosion.
Unfortunately, the current emphasis in attracting folks to computers is
entertainment and pure business. Games, sex, big bucks. Shameful. And not
surprising. Despite this state of affairs, I still believe that education
and information/communication exchange remain the computer's greatest,
lasting assets. The unfortunate aspects are the result of human nature, not
the result of technological failure. The fads surrounding technology won't
diminish the importance of its practical applications.
By encouraging the practical uses of the computer -- its *aesthetically*
appropriate potential -- we might eventually bring the faddish tendencies to
a halt and help others to focus on the more intrinsically satisfying uses of
the computer. One way those of us on this list illustrate this "backward
focus" is by by returning to basic "survivor PCs" and fundamental computing
principles. The older reasons for our use of computers seemed "purer",
somehow. Like party-goers with hangover headaches after a *big drunk*, we
now want to get on with life more seriously and *sober up*!
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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