How Computers Work, from code.org, Khan Academy, and BillG hisself

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I’m going to try hard not to gush. This is simply amazing. Everybody needs to understand how computers work. One of my favorite authors of all time, R
[See the full post at: How Computers Work, from code.org, Khan Academy, and BillG hisself]

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geekdom, AJNorth, WildBill

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Especially now, when there are So Many methods of Input & Output. I was on my high school newspaper in 1970-71 (10th grade). Back then, we typed stories on typewriters & the school Print Shop set the type & printed an edition each week. I might have continued with journalism, if not for an opportunity to go to the local junior college 2 hours a day, 5 days a week for 2 years (getting high school credit!) & learning about computers & programming. I jumped on that, which led to a B.S. degree at a local university in the mid-70’s. Which led to a career in Information Technology & programming for over 25 years. I’m semi-retired now, but would love to learn more of the new languages & platforms. This series is a refresher on the bits & bytes of computers for me, but it should be a Primer for people who don’t think of a smartphone, a tablet, a smart wearable device, or even a speaker connected to a ‘personal assistant’ as a ‘computer’.

Reminds me of the Apple iPad commercial where the kid uses it for all kinds of things, with & without a keyboard. Next-door neighbor asks, “Whatcha doin’ on your computer?” Kid replies, “What’s a computer?”

Bought a refurbished Windows 10 64-bit, currently updated to 22H2. Have broke the AC adapter cord going to the 8.1 machine, but before that, coaxed it into charging. Need to buy new adapter if wish to continue using it.
Wild Bill Rides Again...

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GoneToPlaid, BobbyB

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Thank you Woody. Excellent. I just sent it to all my clients and colleagues as well.

CT

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BTW, if anyone looks for How Computers Work in their local library’s catalog, and does an author search, this is the one listed as “White, Ron, 1944-“, not “White, Ron, 1956-“. However, I will admit that the latter is who first came to mind when I saw the author’s name – considering that his sometime colleague Jeff Foxworthy did start out at IBM doing mainframe maintenance, it isn’t too much of a stretch.

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This is a great basic starter instruction kit. Thank you for posting it.

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I don’t understand the “hate” on the Apple iPad Pro commercial that seemed to start on Jan. 20. The reporting is from a conservative news site that usually focuses on Louisiana & Texas politics: http://thehayride.com/2018/02/apples-ipad-ad-worst-commercial-ever-video/

Interesting to me is the kid with the curly hair, glasses & high voice is androgynous. I thought the child was a “he”, but the reporter identifies it as a “she”. Watching the commercial, I finally noticed blue fingernails. So she doesn’t know what a “computer” is; is that really something to hate the ad about?!

Bought a refurbished Windows 10 64-bit, currently updated to 22H2. Have broke the AC adapter cord going to the 8.1 machine, but before that, coaxed it into charging. Need to buy new adapter if wish to continue using it.
Wild Bill Rides Again...

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I have a strong reaction to the ad. But I will try to explain why it is in a different direction.

The actress is talented. I’ve seen her recently in a basic cable channel production. And I try really hard to separate the talent from the writer’s words she is espousing, both in the ad and the series I allude to here. I fear she may be a ‘post-millennial’ with the attached bad meanings that are unfair to most of her generation. But I have never met her, I only see her portraying other, older peoples ideas.

What I find distressing about the ad is how could a young person get to nearly the age of majority and know so little about what came before her time here. My reaction is to the fictional failure of the responsible adults in this young woman’s life to give her a grounding in any knowledge that came before her eighth birthday.

Or, the possibility the snarky little girl has no respect for her neighbor showing interest in her work. Take your pick. Still the fault of bad roll role models. [in the fictional world created by middle-aged writers] [not a baked good]

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Elly, WildBill

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