How can becoming computer fluent help you understand and take advantage of future technologies?

Answer 1

To put it simply, the profit will be a subtle one. The biggest advantage you get is one that is hard to quantify: acclimation. With an understanding of the workings of a computer, both of software and hardware, comes a willingness to poke at buttons that aren't clearly labeled. This can result in increased performance in many aspects of your computer use, but can also lead to catastrophic failure. As a result, most people timidly cower behind the settings that came with the computer, completely untapping the additional customization that can be had. So, a knowledge of operating systems (OS's) and computer hardware can give the ability to fix any mistakes, but more importantly, the security blanket that knowledge provides.

To sum, it gives peace of mind and increased productivity.

Here's the more detailed answer: fundamental knowledge of OS's and hardware can help you to make informed decisions about both OEM computers (computers from Dell, HP, acer, etc) and self-built computers. Decisions like whether $130 extra for a CPU or $99 extra for the Business version of windows is worth the added oomph--because you can NEVER just assume that it is, and it changes for EVERY prospective use profile. To break this down, there are three reasons why this investment of time and/or money is worth the knowledge:

First, There is a simple, underlying framework that supports personal computer function. As long as personal computers have been around, the basic principles of hardware and software have been largely static. On the original Macintosh, the first commercial PC with a GUI-based OS (point-and-click style interface, as opposed to typing in commands at a text-based prompt), you had to know the capabilities of a computer in terms of processing, storage, and video quality. The only thing left after this foundation is an understanding of what features of current hardware mean in terms of value.

Second, once you have an intermediate-level understanding of PC speak, it is easy to keep it up to date. Change in standards usually occurs gradually, allowing a lot of time for you to learn about it in advance of it's mutation. Most changes occur in the ultra-high-end, and gradually make their way to the base-level systems. An example of this is Dual-Core CPU's: since their introduction at prices exceeding $600 per CPU, they have made their way into almost every Dell PC sold, and a dual core CPU can be obtained for less than $55 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774). This transformation took nearly three years, allowing for (assuming interest) ample opportunity to research the benefits and changes provided.

Third, It is relatively easy to learn. You can do it two ways: like I did, and just do it, or through a class. I learned by buying a really old PC (My school--Gateway Technical College, Kenosha, Wisconsin--periodically sells their way-old computers, after they upgrade to new ones; and I bought one of these pieces of sh*t), and messing it up. I would poke around, put stuff back, then go read about the stuff I saw on Wikipedia. Or, you could take an introductory class on computers at your local high-school or college.