Blog #4 The Course Itself

There is no question that the content of this course is useful to me. At the same time, I have felt a level of frustration throughout this course equaled only by my morning gaze into the mirror. I have worked hard to understand the inner workings of computer systems, and I believe that I have started to get a "clue" when it comes to what makes a computer tick. I started this course with a blank slate, which I expected to be filled with computer knowledge to rival any IT professional. I thought this way in an attempt to psych myself up concerning the pursuit of content that I knew nothing about. In a conversation with the LMC director at my high school, I lamented the amount of time I have spent trying to acquire this information, and the fact that I felt that the investment in time didn't yield the strongest return. But this conclusion is not reached because of an ineffectiveness of the course. Instead, the issue at hand is the fact that I knew nothing about the guts of the computer. I can proudly say that I currently know slightly more than nothing. As I was describing some of the assignments, I realized I was using terminology that weeks earlier was foreign to me. So even though this has been a difficult journey for me, I know that this knowledge will be an excellent bridge to other courses within the program.
Prior to taking this course, I would have never thought about purchasing computer components in order to build a computer specifically designed for my needs. Now I am happily looking through component catalogues in order to design the super, dream computer. Since money is no object for a change, it has been a fun task to design this computer, albeit only in my dreamworld.
It is remarkable the transformation in my attitude and knowledge concerning computers throughout this course. To illustrate this point, I will tell of a dove, who in the last couple of days decided to nest in a planter outside my back door. As I went outside this morning, I was greeted with the mother watching over a new egg. The mother dove sits diligently on the nest, presumably ensuring that no harm will befall her unborn offspring. I would like to say that I represent something noble in this analogy, but I am relegated to being the egg. In this fledgling stage of my computer education, I need to be watched and nurtured because I can't do it all by myself. :)
I know that I will not be ripping apart my MacBook to see how it works any time soon, but I do have a better idea about how the whole process works. There shouldn't be anything changed concerning this course, because even though I struggled throughout, I know that I will be stronger in other areas of study. I look forward to building upon this foundation in future courses.

Personal Computer Failure

If my personal computer failed I would lose.........nothing. Everything that is stored on my hard drive is also kept in online storage. Had you asked me this question prior to January of 2009, I would have had a totally different response, but my reaction would be the same. Even if I would not have my files stored online, I would not be too concerned if my personal computer failed. I am reminded of when my father retired from Menomonee Falls high school, just about the time the guidance department was moving data from filing cabinets to computers. My father had a system that had worked for so many years that he wasn't willing to relearn a new system. His filing cabinets were neat and organized, and he was able to exist very efficiently with that system. Although my father was unwilling to adapt to a new way of doing things, I have found that I do not rely too heavily on personal computers. I like what they can do for us, but at the same time, I was not raised with this technology. I had to learn to do my work the "old fashioned" way, and I could easily go back to that system. It would be an interesting study to compare the responses of the older generation to the younger when asked the question concerning computer failure. When I ran a restaurant, everything was computerized. When the computers failed, we still had to stay in business, which meant servers would have to physically write tickets. Many of them panicked to the point of having to leave the floor. They had no concept of how to write a ticket by hand and figure out the sales tax. I have never gotten too attached to technology because I know that there will always be the chance that it will let me down. Perhaps I am also identifying why I struggle with technology, because I haven't developed the trust to allow the relationship to flourish. Although it would be sad if my computer failed, like any other disappointment, I must simply go on with my way of life.

Future of desktop computing

I would probably be the last person you would want to ask concerning technology trends for the future, but in this blog, I will take a stab at the future of desktop computing. Because I don't have the gift of prophesy, I have been asking people at my school who are paid to have a clue about this stuff. In general, most people that I asked felt that the growing collaborative trend and active participatory culture created by the internet will lead to cloud computing. We will not have a need for a desktop operating system. Instead, all that will be needed in our homes is a input device (keyboard, touchscreen, touch coffee table, or our voice). The future will be devoid of operating systems.
Although I would agree with input devices evolving and allowing users to access the web with futuristic splendor, I have trouble suggesting the demise of operating systems. Perhaps a shift towards cloud computing will dominate the majority or users, but there will still be the generation that has trouble abandoning the security blanket that is an operating system. My assumption is based in large part on the current state of online computing. As I understand it, cloud computing has not currently developed to the point that it is reliable enough to tear users away from their current operating systems. This might be naive on my part, but I would feel more comfortable with companies having more time to work out kinks not yet discovered with online computing opportunities. Like we have seem with the development of the personal computer, there are many companies who have a specific strengths concerning online computing, but to this point, no one has fully grabbed the reigns and taken the lead with this technology. I think there are also still concerns with security with online computing. It is probably still safer than any current method for storing data, but the perception of personal data floating around in cyberspace for savvy hackers to grab is difficult to quell. In the end, these issues will probably be resolved and more people will be drawn to the idea of online computing.
As I said earlier, I think there will always be a market for operating systems, although they will be constantly evolving to stay current. Certainly Bill Gates will be trying to corner the market with online computing because he knows the financial upside will be staggering. As more big names come into the game, the popularity of online computing will grow exponentially. Who knows, perhaps I too will commit fully to this idea of online computing, but I maintain that I do not have the prophetic gift. :)