[Sussex] Worth a read

[Gareth Ablett]

/me knows what an otter switch is but isn't telling :P

Gareth Ablett
Systems Developer

ITP Services Ltd.
http://www.itpserve.co.uk/

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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Geoff Teale [mailto:gteale at cmedltd.com]
> Sent: 10 November 2003 10:47 am
> To: LUG email list for the Sussex Counties
> Subject: Re: [Sussex] Worth a read
> 
> On Mon, 2003-11-10 at 10:05, Mark Harrison wrote:
> > > some sort of new-fangle thingummybob
> >
> > Quite the opposite :-) It's on a 1980 Morgan... which was basically
designed
> > in 1968...
> 
> It's not just used on Morgans, a number of older Jaguars use them as
> well.  Not really an integral part of the operation of a car though
(I'm
> not giving it away though Mark), and pretty obscure, compared to say a
> piston, valve or spark plug in the operation of a car.
> 
> My point is that knowing how to use a CLI or a simple programming
> language is not a question of truely understanding the operation of a
PC
> - but a question of using it more effectively.
> 
> Using your car analogy:
> 
> We do not currently have a car that presents you with a map of the UK
> and asks you where to go.  You have to learn to use complex, arcane
> mechanisms like a steering wheel, an accelerator, a brake and a
clutch.
> It _is_ possible to make a self-driving car that will take you to
where
> you want with a simple interface (and indeed studies since the 1950's
> have shown that self driving cars are safer) but that is simply too
> inflexible.   What happens when you need to park in a field for a fete
> or wedding, what happens when you need to drive on the continent - and
> so on.
> 
> Ultimately the points are:
> 
> * Not everyone needs to learn to program.  For entertainment purposes
a
> simple UI is best.
> 
> * Businesses would do better to develop specialised applications
rather
> than get unskilled people to knock up shoddy solutions in generic
> applications.
> 
> * People who do large amounts of data processing _should_ learn to use
> more effective tools to do the job - often these tools require them to
> learn some syntax.
> 
> * We _should_ be teaching kids in school about programming, not just
> word processing.  As Mark correctly points out, not everybody needs to
> know the workings of the internal combustion engine, but most of us
> where taught it anyway - because Science is one of many fundamental
> things you need to understand to follow many modern career paths.
> Equally a proper understanding of at least the basics of the potential
> of computer technology is essential to a young person entering the
> working world.  Hand up anyone who can name an industry in which you
> will be guaranteed not to have to use a computer (if you can I'd like
to
> talk to you about an exciting new business opportunity!).
> 
> --
> GJT
> gteale at cmedltd.com
> --
> Lots of girls can be had for a song. Unfortunately, it often turns out
> to be the wedding march.
> 
> 
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