How do you learn techie stuff?

nickmack

If it's just a bit of knowledge about PC's there are plenty of free resources and guides on the internet. If you prefer books, you can get alot of the Dummies guides for cheap in discount bookshops. Your local library should also stock some reference books.

Often trial and error is a good way to learn. The more you play about, the more you learn.

tankgirl1

amcluesent wrote:

>how did all you guys aquire your knowledge?<

Did some assembler programming on a ZX81. BSc in Computer Science. Software development career on financial services. Joined a .com startup engineering travel web-site. Did MSc. Chief Architect position for national organisation.

Pretty hardcore, I suppose

just a bit :eek: :rotfl::rotfl:

thanks for all your info guys :T keep it coming

Garetha

Get hold of an old computer (but not too old!)
Take it apart and put it back together.
Clean off the hard disk :eek: - then re-install Windows and all the drivers.

Basically - PLAY with a computer that doesn't matter too much

tankgirl1

Garetha wrote:

Get hold of an old computer (but not too old!)
Take it apart and put it back together.
Clean off the hard disk :eek: - then re-install Windows and all the drivers.

Basically - PLAY with a computer that doesn't matter too much

thats a good idea- i might ask on freecycle........

RoCas

This is a great site for all kinds of techie info explained in layman's terms: http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/_index.asp

nearlyrich

I bought a ZX81 when they came out (1981) and did a lot of typing in of programmes LOL, later I got a job working for an IT Hardware distributor and progressed from customer services into sales. All the vendors did training and I learned as I went along about processors, operating systems, conectivity, networks etc. I have worked in B2B sales for an Apple Mac reseller and now I work for a vendor in AV/IT so I do the training for my customers.

I ask a lot of questions and many of my friends are more hands on technical and geeky so they ususally know the answer to things I can't work out and the techies at work and in my customers are always good for a brain picking!

I am capable of managing the wireless network and sorting out most issues so I am doing OK, the only way to learn is to have a go!

studentphil

I think most people pick stuff up through experience.

studentphil

I would add too that the Techie and computer support staff at university are more knowledgeable than some of the computing lecturers (who on paper look far better qualified than the support staff). It is a funny old world.

That shows experience helps a lot.

skiddy2k

I learnt by playing around with PC and surfing forums... not the best way, but worked for me! didnt even study anything to do with computers in 6thForm or university. Now a voluntary Gold Beta Tester for a AV company + BusinessEconomics student

tankgirl1

RoCas wrote:

This is a great site for all kinds of techie info explained in layman's terms: http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/_index.asp

thanks- have saved in my faves, and will have a good read later

was also looking at this site last night http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/ - where you can access OU learning material without paying. there are quite a few IT courses on there too that i'm planning to have a read of