Yakoob on 25/12/2009 at 10:39
Oh TTLG, with your little funny concept of "should," as if there is some inherent rulebook to existence.
Also, I have no idea how the different prongs on an electric plug do, how the little detergent opening connects to the main chamber in my washing machine and how does the elevator know which floor to stop on when I press different buttons. Am I a horrible person yet?
Trance on 25/12/2009 at 11:43
I suppose this is one of those threads people post in but don't actually read. Not that it was really worth reading to begin with, but none of you have helped.
Understanding what the parts of your computer do for the whole of your computer, or for what purposes a file format (e.g. MP3) can be used or can't be used, doesn't make you a tech geek any more than knowing what your car parts do makes you an auto geek. You don't need to understand how microprocessors and printed circuits work, since you aren't going to be manufacturing them yourself, and that's not what the point of the thread was. But knowing what all those circuit boards in your system are used for, and what makes some models of a part better than others, is essential to a smart purchase, and helpful in attempting repair. And it's damned easy to learn about, through Google or conversation.
Just to reiterate, since I may have lost the likes of tBM and CCCToad before the second paragraph: nobody is saying people should be learning the science behind their computer's operation. What people should be learning are the things that become economic assets in places like Fry's or Best Buy. Then they might feel less inclined to approach a floor walker and ask them painfully stupid questions, much as it brightens their day.
Hey guys, someone told me my tires were pretty worn, so I replaced all of them with brand new cable spools. They look real good, but the weird thing is now my car will hardly go anywhere! I think the car's gone bad too. I'm going to junk it later this week and get one of those new Hummers.
Kolya on 25/12/2009 at 12:09
I'd like to agree that not everyone needs to know this stuff, but mostly I don't. Because so often uninformed people have to make decisions. And it gets really bad when these decisions directly affect people who do know better. I'm sure you all can think of an example.
Perhaps it's just the attitude, similar to the RAM guy that SE described. He should have at least acknowledged that he hasn't got an idea what RAM is. It's fine not to know about how things work, but when you're about to make a decision in that field you either have to start learning or leave it up to someone who does know about it. Ignorance is not to parade around.
Partly it's the fault of what marketing makes people believe. Being able to use Dreamweaver does not make you a web designer. Being able to connect your ipod to a stereo does not make you a DJ. So don't pretend to be, if you're with people who actually know their shit and absolutely do not tell them how to do things.
PigLick on 25/12/2009 at 12:22
so bad shit goes down because people are too ashamed to admit their ignorance.
theBlackman on 25/12/2009 at 20:49
Which is the reason, as emphasised by Kolya, you need to learn, or that people who do know should be consulted when you don't know. As for the guy who "works in biofrakkinginformatics", perhaps his ego got in the way, as it often does, and he was embarassed to admit his lack of knowledge.
You don't need to know, but do need to know, and hopefully do, where to get the information you need when you need it.
Kolya on 26/12/2009 at 15:53
Of course there's the other side too: Elitist condescending geeks who feel quite comfortable with knowing more than most people in a field and are either unwilling to share their knowledge or only if the learner is able to withstand constant ridicule in the process.
Rug Burn Junky on 26/12/2009 at 17:29
You really don't know when to shut the fuck up and leave well enough alone, do you?
Seriously, you're being a bit of a crybaby.
oRGy on 26/12/2009 at 17:53
Steve Jobs :(
CCCToad on 26/12/2009 at 18:19
There's definitely an aspect of laziness to it too.
I can think of a couple "how to buy a PC" guides that I've seen over the years that explain how different PC specifications affect what you can do with it. If they did a bit of research beforehand, they would have a basic idea.
ZylonBane on 26/12/2009 at 18:33
These are the same sort of people who refer to "digital downloads".
