27 Aug
1998
27 Aug
'98
3:48 p.m.
"This instrument can teach, it can illuminate;
Yes,and it can even inspire. But it can do so
only to the extent that humans are determined
to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is
merely lights and wires in a box."
- Micro68 computer User's Manual,EPA Inc. 1976
I love it... succinct, and entirely lost with today's
generation who expects that computers can do anything,
right out of the box. Actually, I remember a few
people who thought the same way a few decades ago
as well...
On the other hand, I've also had people respond to me
that "That can't be done on our computer," when I've
made some suggestion. I always respond with, "Yes,
it could be done if a programmer took the time to
write the code."
It's amazing how much and how little people think
computers can do... quite a paradox.
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry zk3.dec.com |
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27 Aug
27 Aug
11:47 p.m.
>"This instrument can teach, it can
illuminate;
> Yes,and it can even inspire. But it can do so
> only to the extent that humans are determined
> to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is
> merely lights and wires in a box."
> - Micro68 computer User's Manual,EPA Inc. 1976
Sorry for the extra level of quoting (the original message hasn't reached my
mailbox yet).
I believe these words are Edward R. Murrow's -- they refer to television.
The only reason I know this is because PBS used them in one of their pro-PBS
"commercials" a while ago.
Of course they are quite appropriate about computers as well (especially since
computers these days -- much more than in 1976 -- use the same flashiness
techniques that the TV industry crdated).
For non-US readers, PBS is our Public Broadcasting System. It's funded partly
by viewer donations. There are small "Our sponsors are..." announcements but
no actual commercials, though there are "Watch PBS because..." clips. And the
audience is assumed to be much more intelligent/curious than the networks'
target audience.
-- Derek
28 Aug
28 Aug
6:43 p.m.
D. Peschel wrote:
You neglect to mention the begathons every PBS station does for at
least two weeks every quarter.
--
Ward Griffiths <mailto:gram@cnct.com> <http://www.cnct.com/home/gram/>
Bill Gates has this situation where the federal government wants him
convicted for attempting a monopoly. Has Bill considered responding
with a question as to why there's only one Justice Department?
>"This instrument can teach, it can
illuminate;
> Yes,and it can even inspire. But it can do so
> only to the extent that humans are determined
> to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is
> merely lights and wires in a box."
> - Micro68 computer User's Manual,EPA Inc. 1976
Sorry for the extra level of quoting (the original message hasn't reached my
mailbox yet).
I believe these words are Edward R. Murrow's -- they refer to television.
The only reason I know this is because PBS used them in one of their pro-PBS
"commercials" a while ago.
Of course they are quite appropriate about computers as well (especially since
computers these days -- much more than in 1976 -- use the same flashiness
techniques that the TV industry crdated).
For non-US readers, PBS is our Public Broadcasting System. It's funded partly
by viewer donations. There are small "Our sponsors are..." announcements but
no actual commercials, though there are "Watch PBS because..." clips. And the
audience is assumed to be much more intelligent/curious than the networks'
target audience.
10:17 p.m.
You neglect to mention the begathons every PBS station
does for at
least two weeks every quarter.
That's true (and they are very annoying). So there is a downside to PBS.
I wonder if they're telling the whole truth about their money policies during
those pledge drives? I'd really like to know more details about where they
get their money and how they spend it.
-- Derek
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dpeschel＠u.washington.edu -
gram＠cnct.com -
mbg＠world.std.com