Employing the motor car for comparison to todays computer, the concept will
be better illustrated, in an arena that is understood, to one that remains a
mystery.
When the motor car was first invented it was very prone to breaking down at the
slightest excuse. It required much money in purchase, much technical know-how
and creativity on the part of the owner to keep it operating and a little
courage to actually drive along inadequate roads dominated by unpredictable
livestock.
The first motorists were definitely a breed apart. Too much money and too little
sense. But, bit by bit (no pun intended)motoring became a much more popular
activity, as the machines broke down less often and less cash was needed to
purchase them.
The same process is happening with computers. A short time ago, the word
'computer' would have caused the average person to immediately visualise a lot
of people in white coats and national health spectacles tending a gigantic piece
of machinery.
Today, most of us are more likely to think of a child monopolising the domestic
TV to do battle with a hoard of space invaders - the microcomputer has almost
reached the Model T Ford stage.
Today's motorists would never dream of taking a course in mechanics before
buying a car. In reality there is no longer a need to do the equivalent with a
computer, but you must know how drive one first.
Like car knowledge, computer knowledge can he broken into several categories. At
the top of the scale is the basic working knowledge and terminology These are
the terms and concerts you'll need to understand how to actually make good use
of a computer and to relate to the people who are conversant with computers.
The next level is slightly more technical and of the more nuts and bolts
content, which can, nevertheless, be quite useful.
The third level is really divorced from everyday computer use. These components
and processes should remain totally invisible to anyone using a computer. But if
the need to know exists, they're there. i.e. machine componients, cmos,
operating system and application system programms.
Not needed, nor recommended for the everyday computer user, but here is the
third level for the need to know computer individuals!
At the very bottom of the concept of the car (the motive force) is the science
of thermal physics. Cars, after all, are driven by the expansion of ignited
gases. The average driver doesn't need to know a thing about thermo-dynamics to
buy, drive, or even fix a car. He may find the subject and it may help a lot in
understanding the principles of car operation, but it's not necessary to know
the exact terms or process.
A the very bottom of the concept of the computer (the motion force) is the
science of electronics. The computer is physically driven by electronic
circuits. The average computer user may not need to know much electronics to
buy, operate, or even fix a computer. He may find the subject interesting and it
may help a lot in understanding the principles of computer operation, but it's
not necessity to know the exact terms of process.
The next level is the component level - a car is put together by applying the
sciences of thermal dynamics and motor engineering (plus a lot of other sciences
like aero dynamics, ergonomics, plastics and soldering). To fix a car you have
to know how it has been put together and how all the components function.
If you own a car, however, you are almost certain to delegate than specialist
activity to a professional motor mechanic while you content yourself with the
chores of cleaning the windshield, topping up the oil, and water and being very
careful not to crash the automobile through careless operation. You don't have
to know how a cite fits together or how to fix it to own and operate one.
With a computer, the next level up is the component level - a computer is put
together by applying the sciences of electronics and software engineering (plus
a lot of other sciences like styling, ergonomics plastics and soldering). To a
computer you have to know how it's been put together and how all the components
function. If you own a computer, however, you are almost certain to delegate
this specialist activity to a professional computer maintenance engineer, while
you content yourself with chores of cleaning the screen, protecting the storage
media and being careful not to crash the system. You don't have to know how to
program - that is a speciality job for the professional software writer.
The top level is understanding a car and the most important, involve the terms,
concepts and skills related to owning and driving one. A good, confident and
well-trained driver and a well-matched car (one that has enough space for
storage, have enough power for the job you intend it to do and is priced to suit
your needs) is the end result. The car industry and its customers realize this
truth long ago and 99 percent of cars are designed with this imperative in mind.
The best thing of all is that thermo-physicists, car designers, motor engineers
and mechanics are almost certainly to be statistically good or bad at driving a
car as the average man in the seat.
The top level in understanding a computer and the most important, are the terms,
concepts and skills related to owning and operating one. A good, confident and
well-trained user and a well-matched computer (one that has enough space for
your storage, has enough power to do the job you intend to use it for and is
priced to suit your needs) should be the end result. The computer industry and
its customers still haven't realized this basic fact and the majority of
computer products are not yet designed with this imperative in mind, but they
are getting there. The best thing of all is that the electronics engineer, the
hardware designer, the software writer and the maintenance engineer are almost
certainly to be as statistically good or bad at actually using a computer as the
average man in the seat. Enjoy the computer technology of the day and happy
traveling, either through your computer circuits or motor vehicle highways.
