18 Jul
2000
18 Jul
'00
4:45 a.m.
Tony Duell wrote:
Something I've never understood is this :
I've met many programmers, including some _very_ good ones who don't have
any knowledge about hardware, who would be lost if given a schematic
diagram, and who don't own any electronic test gear. But I've never met a
serious hardware designer/hacker who can't program in at least 3
languages, who doesn't have compilers installed on his computer, who
doesn't have books about programming, and who doesn't know how to
understand a source listing.
I don't know that I'm qualified to comment on this, but.... Isn't
programming included in the College courses that a hardware person would be
taking? While a Software person doesn't have any hardware courses? Not
having bothered with College I'm not sure, but I believe this is the case.
I'm *far* from competent when it comes to electronics, but I did originally
work as an Electrician before switching over to computers and Systems
Administration. I do pretty good with non-Board level hardware, and I can
do basic board level stuff, especially if I've got good enough doc's.
The main reason I do any programming is it's the only way to get the
computer to do what *I* want! This isn't to say that I *like* programming,
because I don't. However, just about any computer platform I own has at
least a couple languages that I can program it in (if nothing else there is
BASIC).
As for the original Repair/Replace question. It depends on what it is,
what I've got for documentation, how interested I am in it, and if I have
time to deal with it. Having the time to deal with it is becoming the
biggest factor.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
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| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
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