23 Nov
2007
23 Nov
'07
3:09 p.m.
On Nov 22, 2007, at 8:07 PM, Chris M wrote:
I suppose it really depends on whether or not one wants to be an
effective programmer, or how well one wants to know one's tools.
I find myself constantly explaining things to "computer people"
who don't know how computers work. Knowing how things work at a
basic level allows one to figure out everything else intuitively as
they go along. I know a "hardware guy" who had no idea why his hard
drive was ruined when he stacked a large magnet atop it while it was
on the bench. I've never done such a thing, because I...(wait for
it...) know how a disk drive works.
If one is content to use a tool without knowing anything about it,
one must be content to look like an idiot and always ask stupid
questions of those who have bothered to learn a few things about the
world they live in.
-Dave
--
Dave McGuire
Port Charlotte, FL
Farewell Ophelia, 9/22/1991 - 7/25/2007
For some,
that's not sufficient. Understanding how
a disk drive
works or what goes on over a TCP/IP connection is
essential to them.
TCP/IP is one thing. But knowing how a dd works
today?? If you're writing i/o it's one thing.
Otherwise phew.