Currys / PC World ‘Know-How’'ransom' like?

Samsonite1

John_Gray wrote: »

For a recent computer degree, it seems worryingly short on networking, websites, hardware, and so on. Presumably, and unfortunately, 'social media' should appear somewhere, too?

This is all covered actually - some of the module titles are old, but they update the content each year as the lecturers spend all their time keeping up to date. We did cover hardware quite extensively from how silicon works, to each PC component, different types of computers from PCs to Vending machines, assembly code all the way up to software and the user interfaces and the psychology of user interfaces and how human instincts and emotions help computer scientists design better interfaces.

For the networking - this was covered fairly in-depth, as were websites across many modules. The course was fantastic and covered everything relevant in my opinion. Of course you are not going to be a practical expert in everything and you are not supposed to be. After the first two years you are supposed to specialise a bit because your personal project will be on subjects of your choice (be it networking, websites, etc.) - I went for Websites, databases & e-commerce (which involved quiet a lot like architecture, security which may not seem obvious). I went on to get a career in this.

FWIW, the networking was covered in this module:

Communication Networks and Pervasive Computing
The module will introduce the fundamental principles and emerging areas in computer and communication networks and pervasive computing.

On completion of the module a student should be able to
Understand the need for and fundamental principles of wired and wireless communication networks
Contrast the operation of Local Area, Wide Area, Personal Area, Ad hoc and Sensor networks
Understand the use and operation of the key standards and protocols at each layer of communication networks
Appreciation of issues for supporting real time & multimedia traffic over public networks
Demonstrate an understanding of the history and challenges of pervasive computing
Identify the social, economic and ethical issues that arise from the use of communication networks & pervasive computing technologies
Demonstrate how communication networks form the substrate for pervasive environments
Demonstrate an understanding of context aware computing
Identify and describe emerging technologies and research areas relevant to communication networks & pervasive computing

Samsonite1

Strider590 wrote: »

I mean no offence, but that's a whole lot of theory.... What about hardware?

I liken it to driving a car.
Anyone can learn to drive, but only someone who understands the mechanics can learn to drive the machine to it's full potential and with maximum mechanical sympathy.

I think with computers, hardware and software merge into one, neither can work without the other, it's a symbiotic relationship.
Knowing half of it, is not enough and those taking these courses for no reason other than to avoid getting a job, they come out with text book memory, no practical skills and a "I know everything" attitude.

See my reply to John Gray. My university encouraged practical application of theory and a lot of course work was involved. I also took the opportunity to do a year in industry which allowed me to specialise in software. This also helped me when applying for jobs - the university careers service actually pretty much set me up with my first job.

droopsnoot

Unfortunately, to me this just smacks of a "Business caught trying to make a profit" scandal.


I don't know the ins and outs of PC Worlds repair terms and conditions, but the PC business (like many retail businesses these days) is general is run on very low margins on the sales side in order to try to compete with online prices, leaving businesses like PCW to make their profit elsewhere, whether it's on the hideously expensive cables that you don't have to buy, or the overpriced consumables that you can get from somewhere else. Some people will buy them, a business that doesn't care or needs it right now, or some people that just don't know better.


But to liken it to a ransom demand I think is a little dramatic. After all, they told you the cost before you let them have the laptop - if it were a ransom scenario, they'd have kept that little gem to themselves until it was in pieces in their workshop and refused to give it back until you paid. That might have been a bit more like a ransom, but by that time they would have spent time stripping it to find the fault and it's not unreasonable they would be paid for that.

Strider590

droopsnoot wrote: »

Unfortunately, to me this just smacks of a "Business caught trying to make a profit" scandal.


I don't know the ins and outs of PC Worlds repair terms and conditions, but the PC business (like many retail businesses these days) is general is run on very low margins on the sales side in order to try to compete with online prices, leaving businesses like PCW to make their profit elsewhere, whether it's on the hideously expensive cables that you don't have to buy, or the overpriced consumables that you can get from somewhere else. Some people will buy them, a business that doesn't care or needs it right now, or some people that just don't know better.


But to liken it to a ransom demand I think is a little dramatic. After all, they told you the cost before you let them have the laptop - if it were a ransom scenario, they'd have kept that little gem to themselves until it was in pieces in their workshop and refused to give it back until you paid. That might have been a bit more like a ransom, but by that time they would have spent time stripping it to find the fault and it's not unreasonable they would be paid for that.

Nah, you see PC World / Currys customers are the type of people who wouldn't buy online and who wouldn't seek independent help with a PC related issue, so online prices matter very little to PC World / Currys. They really do make the money on the initial sales, they make money on everything..... They sell £3 HDMI cables for £90.

They prey on technophobes and always have.
People who can't resist all the flashy signage and expensive TV adverts.

Samsonite1

Strider590 wrote: »

Nah, you see PC World / Currys customers are the type of people who wouldn't buy online and who wouldn't seek independent help with a PC related issue, so online prices matter very little to PC World / Currys. They really do make the money on the initial sales, they make money on everything..... They sell £3 HDMI cables for £90.

They prey on technophobes and always have.
People who can't resist all the flashy signage and expensive TV adverts.

There are plenty of people who will not buy online - my parents are of that generation, they like to go to shops and talk to someone and see things - fair enough, if short-sighted. My parents actually prefer to buy the computer equipment from John Lewis - the prices are actually the same, but they sell less cheap items and they give you an extended warranty for free on everything. Not to mention better customer service than PCW. I would still prefer that they shop online and I end up ordering stuff for them to save them money, but I think some high street shops can up their game with customer service.

almillar

The EU want to stop the general public from building their own pc's.

News to me - any more info on this?

Strider590

Gavin78 wrote: »

The EU want to stop the general public from building their own pc's.

almillar wrote: »

News to me - any more info on this?

It wouldn't surprise me, they want to stop people working on their own cars too.

I see no benefit in doing it with PCs though, unless someone high up has shares in Dell/whatever.

Samsonite1

It would be pretty silly to stop people building PCs. The market is huge, especially in the video games market and with Steam OS emerging. The video game industry is bigger than Hollywood and has a large presence in Europe in particular, so it would make little sense to lessen a part of this market.

Fightsback

Samsonite1 wrote: »

assembly code all the way up to software and the user interfaces and the psychology of user interfaces and how human instincts and emotions help computer scientists design better interfaces.

I taught myself 6809E assembly when I was 13

Samsonite1

Fightsback wrote: »

I taught myself 6809E assembly when I was 13

You probably didn't have much choice!