I've always come to AfterDawn when having issues with media and always left with solutions. So first... Thanks to everyone I manage to get by but don't really know a whole heck of a lot about the hows and whys of computer opperation so thought I'd become a member here and look around a bit. I'm just overwhelmed with the volume of threads... and have no idea where to start looking. Can anyone direct an old fart where to begin learning a bit about basic computer science without having to go back to school?
well man the best way to learn anything i guess would be through experience take a project with the computer....and follow through with i guess http://www.howstuffworks.com/operating-system.htm most people know the basic think'tink of their computers part, but how is it all glued together? and how does the OS break down? the article is filled with a lot of keywords you'll be popping into here and there, and the better you understand what that word actually means..the better you'll understand what your reading howdy! -tripplite
Thanks tripplite "how stuff works" never even crossed my mind, sometimes I just get tunnel vision or some such nonesense. Things have changed quite a bit since the days when I played with my brother's Tandy Color Computer and spent hours writing useless Basic Programs that were gone when you turn off the machine (didn't even have a tape back-up). It drives me nuts when I find an answer to a problem but don't have a clue as to why the fix works. I know there are millions of sites that will define terms for me but it's all moot if my foundation is shakey... so back to the beginning and work up. Thanks again
hell man i think even an a++ certified person would learn something from that link, most people dont understand how the OS breaks down and how it interfaces with the hardware.....we have some knowledgeable people around here and opening a thread about how a certain part works or a question on the concept is common...feel free see ya around... -tripplite
I learned a couple of bits.. or maybe refreshed my brain.. from that link. The most important information there tho is Ballmers sad taste in knitwear
Well this old fart is grateful. I checked out the one on PC and looked at the programming "how stuff works" too... I hope the networking one is better than the one on PC's... My guess is then to go to the forum on my os and other os's to learn the differances and such. There wasn't a lot on APIs (app. interfaces was it?)is that something that is differant on differant OS's? Are programming languages OS specific? Meaning if I were to learn C, can that language be used for all OS's? My puter runs VISTA and MS ACCESS 2000 was the thing that got my knickers tied in a knot in the first place... that I can solve next trip to a bookstore, but my ignorence in general is a little tougher to fix varnull - LOL I totally missed the fashion show now I have to go look again. ...being a newbie and all I need to ask any and all if I should take my questions and ignorence to a more specific forum? or would this still be considered general?
You are in the right place.. apart from the C++ coding which you will get further with on a more specific site. Afterdawn is the home of "general ignorance" with lots and lots of really great information for those who are prepared to use the slightly strange search function. As for fista.. well... I'm going to laugh and shrug sadly while walking off..... please note.. I'm not as nice as I at first seem
lol - well that's okay I'm not quite as nice or helpless as I appear either... but I can be when It seems the right thing to do or when I need something. ...as for the wonderful world of windows... well we all do what we have to this is what I could get for the $ I had and that's that. The system @ work runs linux but other than doing what I need to do I know nutin 'bout it... hence we begin the journy unix? haven't got that far yet... and apples are for making pies - thanx for noticin' me
