Thread: Friend thinks he knows more...

  1. #1
    Registered User Queatrix's Avatar
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    Friend thinks he knows more...

    I have a friend who thinks he knows more about computers than me, even though he knows I am a programmer. He is the average user who thinks programming is a click-and-drag kit that you buy (like for some web designing), and that you're an advanced user if you just know that Windows Explorer exists.

    Just curious, but does anyone else know people like this?

  2. #2
    Registered User moi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cool-August
    and that you're an advanced user if you just know that Windows Explorer exists.
    Considering the average user competency level, I'd have to concede his point.
    hello, internet!

  3. #3
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    HAHA That's like asking if anyone else here knows someone that thinks the sky is blue.
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    Sweet
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    Well I know one fact. I know more than you .
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    Registered User major_small's Avatar
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    Well, in this case you probably do know more about computers than he does, but just keep this in mind: programming is just one (albeit big) aspect of computing. There are alot of things that programmers don't need to know about computers... for example, you can very easily program a computer and not know how to put one together.
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    C++ Enthusiast jmd15's Avatar
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    I don't know anyone like this.... however I know a kid that thinks he knows a lot about computers because he puts in new hard drives into Xboxes, and "mods" them(which consists of putting files onto the Xbox's new hard drive before inserting it). I agree with you major_small that is just what I'm thinking. Like people that work at a PC Outlet, they might know more about computers than you, not in the fact they are programmers(and they might be as a hobbyist) but that they know computers inside and out. Still programming does give you a big leg up, since programming is a big aspect of computers. It also can help teach you about the other aspects, such as the Internet. Doing some network programming helps you understand protocol and how it all works. I do not boast about my computer knowledge because than I get accused of being a hacker. So to people I just met I let them find out about my love of computers on their own(which usually takes about an hour when they run into one of my loud-mouthed friends).

    NOTE:
    Remember in some small cities/towns such as mine, you are considered a "computer genius" if you can make nice looking powerpoints and websites....USING FRONTPAGE!!?!?!? How did I get stuck in this incompetent town......
    Last edited by jmd15; 11-07-2005 at 05:50 PM.
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  7. #7
    Rad gcn_zelda's Avatar
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    Being called a "hacker" isn't necessarily an accusation. It can merely be a title.

    Hacker @ Dictionary.com:
    One who is proficient at using or programming a computer; a computer buff.

  8. #8
    C++ Enthusiast jmd15's Avatar
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    Yes, but my town is smallish and technologically low. The word hacker to them instantly means: Someone who breaks into computer systems....
    Trinity: "Neo... nobody has ever done this before."
    Neo: "That's why it's going to work."
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  9. #9
    Rad gcn_zelda's Avatar
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    Gotcha.

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    Well then, when someone in your town forgets their XP Home password, you can break into it for them.

    Kids are brilliant like that though. I was pretty cocky when I was younger, knew my Atari ST "inside out" (although didn't properly program for it). It wasn't that I boasted about my knowledge, more that I could talk forever about that beautiful GEM desktop that loaded instantly...

    (ahem) But kids these days have it slightly easier; there is only one platform worth borthering with. I've never met a Mac expert, so I assume they're extinct.

  11. #11
    C++ Enthusiast jmd15's Avatar
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    Lol, I have never heard of an Atari ST so you must outdate me by a good few years(or more) . I have only used a Mac once in my whole life, and I remember the desktop was similar to what you might see a Linux desktop look like. It of course did not have the built in compilers and all that good stuff. Didn't like it much but not too hard to use. Smurf, if one of my friends did forget their password, they would almost undoubtedly ask me, and I most likely would be able to either: pull it out of a list I already have, guess it, or get it somehow....
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    Registered User mrafcho001's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jmd15
    I don't know anyone like this.... however I know a kid that thinks he knows a lot about computers because he puts in new hard drives into Xboxes, and "mods" them(which consists of putting files onto the Xbox's new hard drive before inserting it). I agree with you major_small that is just what I'm thinking. Like people that work at a PC Outlet, they might know more about computers than you, not in the fact they are programmers(and they might be as a hobbyist) but that they know computers inside and out. Still programming does give you a big leg up, since programming is a big aspect of computers. It also can help teach you about the other aspects, such as the Internet. Doing some network programming helps you understand protocol and how it all works. I do not boast about my computer knowledge because than I get accused of being a hacker. So to people I just met I let them find out about my love of computers on their own(which usually takes about an hour when they run into one of my loud-mouthed friends).

    NOTE:
    Remember in some small cities/towns such as mine, you are considered a "computer genius" if you can make nice looking powerpoints and websites....USING FRONTPAGE!!?!?!? How did I get stuck in this incompetent town......

    I know what you mean. Its the same way in my school/town too. Basicly here a computer genius is someone who can use Word/Frontpage/PowerPoint well. Anything beyond that is like "hackerish". Some of my friends though that programming was, like you said, drag-and-drop. So he wanted to learn how to program... Took him only 8 minutes and 28 seconds before he said that he doesnt wanna learn it anymore (I actualy timed it).

    A lot of people in my school think they know a lot about computer when they can browse the system with Windows Explorer and open files with notepad and screw them up. And if you ever try to explain to them how something really works they just dont listen and ignore you.

    Even my computer applications teacher sucks, he doesnt know anything besides speadsheets, word, and frontpage. He was surprised that i knew HTML. The only way he knows how to fix problems is restarting. (The systems at my school have some auto restore thingy at boot, so basicaly all settings are reset, or something).
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  13. #13
    mov.w #$1337,D0 Jeremy G's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cool-August
    I have a friend who thinks he knows more about computers than me, even though he knows I am a programmer. He is the average user who thinks programming is a click-and-drag kit that you buy (like for some web designing), and that you're an advanced user if you just know that Windows Explorer exists.

    Just curious, but does anyone else know people like this?

    Just because you are a programmer doesn't mean you know a lot about computers. It just means you know a programming language.

    Like, how much do you know about digital design? If you think I mean graphics you are on the wrong train of thought.
    And Gates, Not Gates, Bus Lines, Jk Flip Flops, etc etc?
    How much do you know about networking? About Subnet Mask and Subnetting?

    How much do you know about setting up hardware? Resolving IRQ conflicts, optimizing bios, upgrade your flashware? etc.

    All I'm saying, is there is a LOT to know about computers and you can't judge yourself to be the winner just because you can program.
    c++->visualc++->directx->opengl->c++;
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  14. #14
    C++ Enthusiast jmd15's Avatar
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    I try to know(or get into) most aspects of computers, the only thing I'm not into is graphics design. I'm not an artist, I'm a logical thinker. Stick me with a paintbrush and out will come some painted notes on math and code. Art is not my thing. I have set up hardware, played with networking and security(maybe a bit too much ), programming(the most), electronics(a bit), and the list goes on. What really just makes me mad is when your advanced computer skills come in handy(programming in this example) and so you let them know you can help them. Then that person just thinks that you are just as good as the next guy(the next guy being some average user with knowledge of how to open and use frontpage). I'm in this youth thing, and there is this kid who is their "computer person", and he is way below my level but I'm still treated as discardable second best.
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  15. #15
    Registered User Queatrix's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jeremy G
    Just because you are a programmer doesn't mean you know a lot about computers. It just means you know a programming language.

    Like, how much do you know about digital design? If you think I mean graphics you are on the wrong train of thought.
    And Gates, Not Gates, Bus Lines, Jk Flip Flops, etc etc?
    How much do you know about networking? About Subnet Mask and Subnetting?

    How much do you know about setting up hardware? Resolving IRQ conflicts, optimizing bios, upgrade your flashware? etc.

    All I'm saying, is there is a LOT to know about computers and you can't judge yourself to be the winner just because you can program.
    I haven't gotten to Digital Design yet, infact, I haven't gotten to many places yet, being only 14 I only know so much. I have explored the Windows OS in side and out. I can learn how to use any program VERY quickly. (Doubt it counts.) I have never had to use that 'help' thing before, I hardly know what it looks like. I know HTML and am learning JS, which the average would use Frontpage or an equivalent. My friend uses somthing called HotDog to build web pages. My Grandfather likes to call himself a Web Master, but he uses Fontpage. When I started to tell him a couple months ago about learning programing, he said "come back to me when you can make a horse & buggy go across the screen". (That was a -to me- basic thing he did on a web page and was real proud of.) So jmd15, I'm in the same boat.
    Last edited by Queatrix; 11-07-2005 at 09:55 PM.

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