note Anonymous Monk <blockquote>I got into computers via a 'backdoor'</blockquote> <p>I find this interesting. I've heard similar comments from many people. Often they're used as a reason why someone believes they know less about computers than people who have used computers all their lives. The odd thing here is that these people are using computers for a reason. Whether it's modeling physical events, analyzing biological data, or whatever, they have a purpose for their computer use. Given this, I find it strange that they so often seem to rate their skills secondary to people who use computers for the sake of using them.</p> <p>This can often be seen in various college graduates as well. What does a computer science degree really teach you? A few fundamentals, but to what end? Perhaps in some better programs you'll be able to competently work on an operating system, or compiler but encryption? Not really, that's just using computers for math. Bioinformatics? Not really, that's just using computers for analyzing biological data. Economic modeling? Economists using computers for their purposes.</p> <p>I think you would be surprised to learn how much more you can accomplish when viewing computers as tools rather than end results.</p> 295666 295787 10