-=PCTechTalk=- Re: General Comments

Well written as usual Bob <G>
Now, just don't be telling anyone what group I fit in  <chuckle>  I've 
got most of them buffaloed    ;^P

   Regards from

 Bob -- the "Keyboard Cowboy",
           ,,,,,,,,
          Ô¿Ô¬
    Cincinnati, Ohio
 Scottsdale, Arizona
 ---------------------------------
 Friday, 2/25/2005, @ 5:57:52 PM EST
 ---------------------------------
 The sign of intelligent people is their ability to control emotions
 by the application of reason.

 -- Marya Mannes (1904-1990) American Journalist
 

 ===============|:0:|===============
On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 16:45:33 -0600 Bashful Bob wrote:


  |  Hi
  |  I have been following the thread about suggestions on what
  |  information should, or better yet, could be included with the
  |  questions asked.
  |
  |  The suggestions are good ones, in general. The suggestions,
  |  whether we like it or not, require some level of knowledge. That
  |  made me sit back and think. Think about what level of users we
  |  have in this group and what level of these users is the group
  |  intended to address.
  |
  |  Well, in my opinion, the users in this group fall into four
  |  broad and general categories.
  |
  |  First is the Beginner.
  |  This is the person that just got a computer, didn't build it,
  |  and when that person turned it on (or a person that set it up
  |  for them turned it on) they discover a box. A magic box that
  |  just did things, Lord knows how or why. Maybe it scared and
  |  terrified them, maybe it fascinated them and they knew they
  |  found their niche in life, or maybe it was no big deal, just
  |  kind of a cute machine that may help them in their daily life,
  |  or job. The commonality to all at this point is they knew
  |  nothing about the machine. Lets face it folks, we all, and I
  |  mean ALL, started at this point. Conversation about computers
  |  may be another language to them. Version of an OS, what the heck
  |  is an OS, what does it stand for, where do you find out the
  |  version of it, the help files are nothing more then a puzzle
  |  with no picture to help connect the pieces together. (Hope I am
  |  painting a good picture here if maybe a little extreme). So, due
  |  to the inner workings of the human being, some of us will and
  |  have progressed up through the various categories at different
  |  rates of learning. Maybe a helpful person started to show us how
  |  it worked and maybe they introduced us to the group, set us up
  |  in the group or in time we found the group on our own. In any
  |  case, the person is here and here because they want to learn for
  |  whatever motivations.
  |
  |  Second is the person that has learned something. (They fall in
  |  the area from beginner to middle of the road)
  |  They are using the computer and still have questions about the
  |  computer, an application, what makes it tick, questions about
  |  problems of any sort, questions about how and why it works. They
  |  are more knowledgeable then the beginner, yet still have traits
  |  of a novice. The magic is not so magical anymore. Conversations
  |  in computereeeeezzzzzzeeeeee are not totally mystifying. They
  |  can converse and understand somewhat more then basic stuff. They
  |  may have built themselves a computer. They may be taking
  |  classes, their climbing the ladder of knowledge in the area of
  |  computing. They kind of know their way around a computer and
  |  some applications. They are using it in their personal life
  |  and/or jobs. They may or may not be seeking a career in some
  |  field related directly to computers. They are still learning,
  |  yet they have gotten their wings or just about to. They may be
  |  of help to the first category, yet they still need help. They
  |  also have the desire to share some of their ability and
  |  knowledge with others.
  |
  |  Third is the person has learned quite a bit. (They fall in the
  |  area from middle of the road to expert)
  |  Their questions about computers are getting less, they have a
  |  good deal of knowledge about computers, and/or applications,
  |  networks, systems, programming (hardware, software), security,
  |  system analysis's, Hardware and software designers. They can
  |  write  (program) code very well. They are using the puter
  |  extensively, in their life and/or jobs. They are the ones that
  |  friends and co-workers come to for help. They may have jobs as a
  |  computer technician, network administrator, computer businesses
  |  of their own, up to and including elite programmers. They may
  |  have taken off in a specific direction in the computer field(s).
  |  They are very knowledgeable but usually are not the experts that
  |  are creating the next generation of computer gismos. They could
  |  be running the computer system for small to medium businesses or
  |  in the upper field of computers in a large organization, but are
  |  usually not (but could be) the CEO's of the computer departments
  |  of these large organizations. At least not yet anyway. They may
  |  have (now days) degrees in the computer fields with experience
  |  behind them. They seek answers and solutions on their own and
  |  supervise others in their field. They may have the desire to
  |  teach others, guide them, share some knowledge with them. Some
  |  do not.
  |
  |  Fourth group is the expert to elite experts.
  |  They have forgotten more about computers than most will know.
  |  (like me) They are the movers and shakers in the computer
  |  industry of today. They know computers as well as they know
  |  themselves, if not better. They could (and in the beginning,
  |  they did) design, build the world wide Internet, (equipment,
  |  hardware and software, program, etc, etc) all by themselves. As
  |  far as hacking (today's definition goes) there is NOT a system
  |  they could not get into. They may be spending their own time in
  |  computers. It is their life, their love, their wife or husband,
  |  their existence as a person. They are the Einstein's of
  |  computing.
  |
  |  Well if you're still with me. The question now becomes, what
  |  category does this group target, mainly address.
  |
  |  For me, a clue comes in the form of the motto (for a lack of
  |  better term) of the group, which is quoted quite often and very
  |  much of late. That is "The only stupid question is the question
  |  that is not ask". To me that says the group is targeting the
  |  beginner category. That is the person who has just turned on the
  |  box and is awed by the magic within.
  |
  |  So I beseech you all to be understanding and forgiving if most
  |  do not include the suggestions you have suggested in their
  |  questions and emails. They may not be aware of where to go in
  |  the menu to find the version of the OS, application, etc., etc.,
  |  some who know will forget. Some do not know about programs like
  |  Belarc, for example. I have witnessed many telling others in
  |  here where to go to down load it and how to use it. Weed out
  |  those who do not know and help them to learn. Lets face the
  |  facts, even the experts in here do not always comply with the
  |  suggestions made in here on all the things to be included in a
  |  question.
  |
  |  I also beseech the beginners not to take suggestions, or
  |  attitudes, (if any) personal. Forgiveness goes a long way and
  |  will facilitate the learning process not to mention the
  |  atmosphere in the group. Remember we are all human and are not
  |  always at our best.
  |
  |  The beginners usually read all the messages and may get lost if
  |  help is written above their understanding and learning may
  |  suffer a minor set back. A post asking for clarification would
  |  go a long ways and many will be glad to explain it less
  |  complicated terms, even step by step if that is what it takes.
  |  Ask till you understand, you may be just one question away from
  |  an ahhhh hawwwwww (I got it) moment.
  |
  |  I have seen it in here many a time, so I know it is done, I know
  |  everyone is capable. I am and was one of those that need things
  |  explained to me in a step-by-step manner and in simple easy to
  |  understand terminology.
  |
  |
  |  Life is what happens in between plans.
  |
  |  Virus free email by Norton's
  |  This message is intended for the sole use of the individual
  |  and/or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain
  |  information that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from
  |  disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the addressee,
  |  or authorized to receive this on behalf of the addressee, you
  |  are hereby notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or
  |  distribute to anyone this message or any part thereof. If you
  |  have received this in error, please immediately advise the
  |  sender by e-mail and delete this information. Thank you
  |
  |
  |  --
  |  <Please delete this line and everything below.>
  |
  |  To unsub or change your email settings:
  |  http://www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk
  |
  |  To access our Archives:
  |  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/
  |  http://www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/
  |
  |  For more info:
  |  http://www.freelists.org/cgi-bin/list?list_id=pctechtalk



--
<Please delete this line and everything below.>

To unsub or change your email settings:
http://www.freelists.org/webpage/pctechtalk

To access our Archives:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCTechTalk/messages/
http://www.freelists.org/archives/pctechtalk/

For more info:
http://www.freelists.org/cgi-bin/list?list_id=pctechtalk

Other related posts: