I've come to a realization . . . .

[Ray8]

There are stupid questions like, "If I go off the track and hit that tree will it damage my car?"

There are also stupid people who ask questions and then ignore you while you are answering the question.

You have to think more deeply of that question, any question. What was the student really asking? Were they actually meaning something else, but expressed it poorly? If you really had a student ask you such a question, how did you actually respond?

 

[Mystere]

Computers for school is a joke. We all went thru school without a computer. I submit that the kids learn less with the computers than without because they are constantly sidetracked by all the facebooks, skypes, YouTubes and alike. Plus they stop using their neurons in their head.

I don't know of any school that allows in-class computers to randomly surf facebook and youtube. They typically firewall the heck out those PC's, and only allow the installed software.

 

[pcRat]

Computers for school is a joke. We all went thru school without a computer. I submit that the kids learn less with the computers than without because they are constantly sidetracked by all the facebooks, skypes, YouTubes and alike. Plus they stop using their neurons in their head.

I remember going through school without a computer. And the lectures if someone got caught sinning by using a calculator. We need to know math in case calculators break down.
Now they need a spare in case one quits working.

A few years ago I was working part time in an a gas station/convenience store. When power went out we weren't suppose to sell anything.
Some clerks would just hang the closed sign. Some of us sold stock and added 6% and made a list.

A few weeks ago I read they are thinking about not teaching cursive handwriting in schools.

 

[Coke Robot]

Do you know what they should teach in school? Latin. And making kids learn how to text on smartphones like a competent being that has a proper grasp of the English language and not Bingo or Walmart. I don't speak Walmart, nor Bingo. I don't understand why ANYONE has to be forced in doing so.

 

[Billywiz1307]

The major problem is that ordinary users of PC's expect them to just work, like a kettle or a toaster or even a more than basic coffee maker. Along the way MS & Apple have make fundamental changes to where things used to be or how they should be configured, like printers or shared folders. Then, overnight a patch was applied that made something not work today like it did yesterday. That's when the ordinary user, who are just that, users, come unstuck because they have never explored because they aren't interested to explore, they just want it to work.

I've been saying for some time now that we are making PC's and servers etc far too complicated for the average user, somehow we need to simplify it.

The next big headache is the "cloud". People frequently lose data on the PC on their desks so I can't wait until users phone to say they want us to find what's happened to their data which could be on any one of a dozen "cloud" providers datacentres

 

[Ruudfood]

Personally I think the problem is not that people are stupid or can't learn, it's that they dont WANT to learn.

And not just about computers either. The number of public forums I frequent where people will submit posts littered with simple grammatical errors ("your" and "you're" / "there", "their" and "they're" anyone?) is astounding. And when someone pulls them up on it, they're accused of being a "grammar Nazi". Instead of asking which term would be correct, it's a case of "this is not a spelling forum".

The wider problem is that most forms of education are not exactly fun and engaging. That's not to say they can't be, just that educators often don't get reward for making it so or don't have the imagination to do so.

Part of the problem with computers, though, is that people don't understand fairly simple Operating System concepts (of which binary is not one) which ultimately makes them scared because they think they'll somehow break something. So they don't try anything different.

 

[caperjack]

Personally I think the problem is not that people are stupid or can't learn, it's that they dont WANT to learn..

i have to agree with that ,especially when they have someone to run to when they need help .thank goodness for spell check

 

[Mystere]

Yes, people don't want to learn about computers. But frankly, they shouldn't have to learn very much to use one effectively. Most technology these days requires that be able to figure it out to some extent. Try a new TV, or DVD player or TiVo or Cell Phone or even some new cars and what not. We all know people that can't set their digital clocks, or can't figure out how to program phone numbers into their 10 years old cordless phones.

But, the problem is that all those things.. TV's, phones, cars, whatever also have low-end versions that are basically just the simple part. Those exist in computers as well to some extent, such as a Chromebook. But, most people want computers to be able to do any possible thing they want to throw at it. And that means computers have to be more complex.

Technology requires a certain frame of mind. The frame of mind that says "Oh, this is new.. let's figure this out" rather than "Oh my god, it's something new, I can't figure this out".

Lots of people have that frame of mind for things they like. Music, Cars, Crafts, cabinet making, whatever.. but they just don't find enough interest in figuring out technology to make it worth it for them. But, they're more or less forced to use it, to keep in touch with friends and relatives, to apply for jobs, to get directions, etc...

 

[whs]

Try one of those smart TVs. I have friends that have one since 6 months they still did not figure out how to properly record a program. And when you change the password of the router, they are completely lost. And these people are pretty smart.

I got a new car in November. What a disaster. It has 2 screens with a gezillion settings plus about 50 switches on the dash. The manual is 520 pages - even the manual for just the radio is 120 pages. And I don't even have a navigation system. For that I use my tablet.

This thing brakes when I get too close to a car ahead of me, a red light flashes when a car is driving next to me, the engine stops when I stop at a red light, resumes when I release the brakes. I am really not driving the car - the car is driving me. I think it will take me 3 years to figure that car out. I really miss my 13 year old previous car that had 3 instruments and 5 buttons.

 

[Hopachi]

The major problem is that ordinary users of PC's expect them to just work, like a kettle or a toaster or even a more than basic coffee maker. Along the way MS & Apple have make fundamental changes to where things used to be or how they should be configured, like printers or shared folders. Then, overnight a patch was applied that made something not work today like it did yesterday. That's when the ordinary user, who are just that, users, come unstuck because they have never explored because they aren't interested to explore, they just want it to work.

I've been saying for some time now that we are making PC's and servers etc far too complicated for the average user, somehow we need to simplify it.

The next big headache is the "cloud". People frequently lose data on the PC on their desks so I can't wait until users phone to say they want us to find what's happened to their data which could be on any one of a dozen "cloud" providers datacentres

That's true about the plain people.

But when you get yourself a computer then it's quite normal you will or at least try to gain some extra knowledge about it. It will be inevitable to remain "dumb" on the matter.

And ensuring others don't break your stuff by trying to fix it (you try to describe them the problem) then break it yourself and learn something in the process.

 

[caperjack]

Try one of those smart TVs. I have friends that have one since 6 months they still did not figure out how to properly record a program. And when you change the password of the router, they are completely lost. And these people are pretty smart.

and that goes for dumb tv to,customers call local electronic store and say ,my tv screen is black, clerk says check the source button on the remote and make sure the right source is selected ,caller says Whats a source ???

 

[Frank1]

I got a new car in November. What a disaster. It has 2 screens with a gezillion settings plus about 50 switches on the dash. The manual is 520 pages - even the manual for just the radio is 120 pages. And I don't even have a navigation system. For that I use my tablet.

This thing brakes when I get too close to a car ahead of me, a red light flashes when a car is driving next to me, the engine stops when I stop at a red light, resumes when I release the brakes. I am really not driving the car - the car is driving me. I think it will take me 3 years to figure that car out. I really miss my 13 year old previous car that had 3 instruments and 5 buttons.

All these added features mean: 1) More money, 2) More things to break down and 3) Additional money to have them repaired. Then they cause one to ask himself if they are really needed.

 

[Coke Robot]

Try one of those smart TVs. I have friends that have one since 6 months they still did not figure out how to properly record a program. And when you change the password of the router, they are completely lost. And these people are pretty smart.

I got a new car in November. What a disaster. It has 2 screens with a gezillion settings plus about 50 switches on the dash. The manual is 520 pages - even the manual for just the radio is 120 pages. And I don't even have a navigation system. For that I use my tablet.

This thing brakes when I get too close to a car ahead of me, a red light flashes when a car is driving next to me, the engine stops when I stop at a red light, resumes when I release the brakes. I am really not driving the car - the car is driving me. I think it will take me 3 years to figure that car out. I really miss my 13 year old previous car that had 3 instruments and 5 buttons.

Gosh, this so true! In 10 years, cars will be driving us versus driving them and that's not something I care for. Like, Ford for example, they have a feature where the car parallel parks itself because I guess parallel parking is just SO hard. A few months ago, I had to parallel park a block away from the DMV when I got my license renewed, and it was the quintessential example of a difficult parallel park, two cars tightly spaced with one open spot. Literally, that was the first time since I start driving almost a decade ago where I ACTUALLY had to park like that. Every other parallel parking job has been where I can just drive off on the side of the road to park basically as I don't live in that big of a city.

Anyways, I starting parking and undershot the runway the first time. I drove out and readjusted so I could back into the spot correct, BAM! PERFECTLY PARKED PARALLEL STYLE!! I was so proud I had to take a picture! My driver's ed teacher, God rest his soul, would had been proud!

It's things like that I just don't understand why cars are starting to have those abilities. Automatic transmission standard, rear view camera standard, automatic parking standard; it's like dumbing down the driver. I prefer a manual gearbox, physically turning my head to look back, and parking like a boss.

Also, I don't think I'll ever really buy a new car. The car I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want is a 2001 BMW 525i. It's a good amount of traction control technologies and driver control. I have a Mazda 626 from 1990, and I prefer that because it's super easy to fix and maintain versus the plethora of electronics and wiring. And, I also prefer buying used as I can put my blood, sweat, and tears in making it pristine.

But that's just me.

 

[whs]

Like, Ford for example, they have a feature where the car parallel parks itself because I guess parallel parking is just SO hard. A few months ago, I had to parallel park a block away from the DMV when I got my license renewed, and it was the quintessential example of a difficult parallel park, two cars tightly spaced with one open spot. Literally, that was the first time since I start driving almost a decade ago where I ACTUALLY had to park like that. Every other parallel parking job has been where I can just drive off on the side of the road to park basically as I don't live in that big of a city.

Yeah, that was an option on my car too. But I did not get that. 9 years of driving and parking in Paris tought me how to parallel park - even if the space is shorter than your car. You just push the cars in the front and the back of you. For what do you have bumpers. No intelligent Paris driver would put on the brakes when parked. He'll end up with a lot of dents.

 

[Coke Robot]

Like, Ford for example, they have a feature where the car parallel parks itself because I guess parallel parking is just SO hard. A few months ago, I had to parallel park a block away from the DMV when I got my license renewed, and it was the quintessential example of a difficult parallel park, two cars tightly spaced with one open spot. Literally, that was the first time since I start driving almost a decade ago where I ACTUALLY had to park like that. Every other parallel parking job has been where I can just drive off on the side of the road to park basically as I don't live in that big of a city.

Yeah, that was an option on my car too. But I did not get that. 9 years of driving and parking in Paris tought me how to parallel park - even if the space is shorter than your car. You just push the cars in the front and the back of you. For what do you have bumpers. No intelligent Paris driver would put on the brakes when parked. He'll end up with a lot of dents.

That's hilarious!

 

[caperjack]

All these added features mean: 1) More money, 2) More things to break down and 3) Additional money to have them repaired. Then they cause one to ask himself if they are really needed.

and us poor suckers wont be able to by a used 8 or 9 year old car because wee won't be able to afford to fix-em

 

[labeeman]

All these added features mean: 1) More money, 2) More things to break down and 3) Additional money to have them repaired. Then they cause one to ask himself if they are really needed.

and us poor suckers wont be able to by a used 8 or 9 year old car because wee won't be able to afford to fix-em

Add to that we won't be able to get the computer parts because they will not be sold or made any more.

 

[Mystere]

Add to that we won't be able to get the computer parts because they will not be sold or made any more.

Well, that's somewhat unlikely, I think car manufacturers are required to keep stock of parts for 10 years, and it's likely a third party will supply the for at least a decade after that.. but eventually, yeah.

 

[stargate65]

Can you amagin....DOS....In todays world....SHOOWEE!

 

[Coke Robot]

All these added features mean: 1) More money, 2) More things to break down and 3) Additional money to have them repaired. Then they cause one to ask himself if they are really needed.

and us poor suckers wont be able to by a used 8 or 9 year old car because wee won't be able to afford to fix-em

3D PRINTERS!!!