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#1
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PM:
Let me give a summary of the "real world." If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware project would most likely be computer related. Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 13:27:42 -0700, Polymath wrote: Perhaps even "KB9RQZ" is a CB call sign? an_old_friend wrote: Polymath wrote: If you feel that it is fictional, then it is almost certain that you are one of the latter-day recruits whose style is that of CB Radio, the very type that I warn against. It is fictional as is your charge Perhaps the horse has already bolted? |
#2
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John Smith wrote:
Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... Fabulously put. -- huLLy Mobile phone 07976 123278 ICQ 136-987-925 |
#3
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"John Smith" wrote in message news PM: Let me give a summary of the "real world." If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware project would most likely be computer related. Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... John The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" that you seem to despise so. I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, etc. Dee D. Flint, N8UZE |
#4
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Dee:
You know you have won a soft-spot in my heart now, and I always wanna "take-the-gloves-off" when replying to your posts, and I would, except you would take it as an insult and never forgive me... Yes, there are people like that in the world. Indeed, the top of the bell-curve are those with an IQ of 100-110 (barely intelligent enough not to drool on their work.) If your company/corp is interning them, you really should look for a position elsewhere, but you knew that... John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 21:04:16 -0400, Dee Flint wrote: "John Smith" wrote in message news PM: Let me give a summary of the "real world." If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware project would most likely be computer related. Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... John The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" that you seem to despise so. I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, etc. Dee D. Flint, N8UZE |
#5
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The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now
they just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" that you seem to despise so. =========================== From the above comments it is clear that the writer has no idea what's going on in the Linux World ; with its many volunteer developers /testers , many being from the younger generation . Ever been to a Linux or Robotics or Hackers Fest ? Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH |
#6
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"Highland Ham" wrote in message ... The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" that you seem to despise so. =========================== From the above comments it is clear that the writer has no idea what's going on in the Linux World ; with its many volunteer developers /testers , many being from the younger generation . Ever been to a Linux or Robotics or Hackers Fest ? Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH A. They don't have those fests here B. Didn't say no one is doing these things just that their heyday has come and gone. Dee D. Flint, N8UZE |
#7
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Dee Flint wrote: "John Smith" wrote in message news PM: Let me give a summary of the "real world." If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware project would most likely be computer related. Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... John The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" that you seem to despise so. I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, etc. Dee D. Flint, N8UZE Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students wouldn't understand the question. My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix trick to show off. The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards of antennas, propagation, etc. Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm not that talented. Dave VE3HLU |
#8
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Dave:
No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all of them!) Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper software--a home security system with the proper card and related software and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future with them... John On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: Dee Flint wrote: "John Smith" wrote in message news PM: Let me give a summary of the "real world." If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware project would most likely be computer related. Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... John The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" that you seem to despise so. I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, etc. Dee D. Flint, N8UZE Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students wouldn't understand the question. My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix trick to show off. The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards of antennas, propagation, etc. Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm not that talented. Dave VE3HLU |
#9
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(Apologies to the top posting hater community, but I decided to follow John's lead).
Got the wrong guy John. I've been using most of that stuff for quite a while, and I could point you to a dozen or so hams well over the age of 70 who not only use it; they understand how it works and some even tinker with the hardware and software. I'm not quite that old yet, but it ain't always that easy to keep up with some of them when they discuss their latest project. About a quarter of a century ago, I was teaching a system using a synthesized HF sideband transceiver, on a single PCB about 2 or 3 inches square, running from about 7 to 10MHz and digitally controlled either locally or remotely (up to 100 transceivers controlled from a DEC minicomputer) - would love to have slipped one in my shirt pocket, taken it home and added a linear! Funnily enough most of the guys I was working with have decided to become hams within the last 10 or 15 years. The HF receiver card in one of my PCs gets far more use than my stand-alone transceivers with the DSP etc. the card is much more versatile - more modes, bandwidths etc. etc.. Software defined is the way to go. But, and it is a fair sized but, I find I can have much more detailed and interesting discussions of this technology with older rather than younger folks. I find (just my experience and maybe the folks I choose to hang out with) that the younger generation tend to be users who know no more about how it works than my granny knew about how her telephone worked. But boy can they use it! My generation understood it down to the electron level. My kids understood it down to the IC level. My grand kids (teenagers - with a few exceptions) know how to use it but don't understand, or really care, how it works. Can't blame them, it's progress. The systems have become so complex that one pretty much has to specialize and folks with a general knowledge of hardware and software, theory and practice of entire systems are becoming a vanishing breed. That is true of much more than communications technology - the guy at the corner gas station probably can't fix your anti-skid braking system any more than the local pharmacy can sell you the part to fix your TV any more. Dave Sitting at his computer listening to an HF net on his software defined radio running on the same processor. John Smith wrote: Dave: No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all of them!) Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper software--a home security system with the proper card and related software and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future with them... John On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: Dee Flint wrote: "John Smith" wrote in message news PM: Let me give a summary of the "real world." If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware project would most likely be computer related. Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... John The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" that you seem to despise so. I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, etc. Dee D. Flint, N8UZE Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students wouldn't understand the question. My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix trick to show off. The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards of antennas, propagation, etc. Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm not that talented. Dave VE3HLU |
#10
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Dave:
Interesting, when I have exchanged station pics, I have never seen the new equip, other than my own... When I exchange equip descriptions, everyone is mentioning drake, henry, heathkit, etc... frankly, last months maybe a year--I gave up paying close attention... in fact, my xmitter pci card is a proto-type which an engineer made a gift of to me when I worked on some software to support it (they will actually market a USB model.) Last time I chatted with him, it was still sitting on his companies "back shelf" waiting for the market to develop... they strongly support dropping CW and expect an influx of new hams which they feel will accept the equipment and make profitable the sales. In the meantime they market to police, fire, hospitals, gov't... John On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:55:15 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: (Apologies to the top posting hater community, but I decided to follow John's lead). Got the wrong guy John. I've been using most of that stuff for quite a while, and I could point you to a dozen or so hams well over the age of 70 who not only use it; they understand how it works and some even tinker with the hardware and software. I'm not quite that old yet, but it ain't always that easy to keep up with some of them when they discuss their latest project. About a quarter of a century ago, I was teaching a system using a synthesized HF sideband transceiver, on a single PCB about 2 or 3 inches square, running from about 7 to 10MHz and digitally controlled either locally or remotely (up to 100 transceivers controlled from a DEC minicomputer) - would love to have slipped one in my shirt pocket, taken it home and added a linear! Funnily enough most of the guys I was working with have decided to become hams within the last 10 or 15 years. The HF receiver card in one of my PCs gets far more use than my stand-alone transceivers with the DSP etc. the card is much more versatile - more modes, bandwidths etc. etc.. Software defined is the way to go. But, and it is a fair sized but, I find I can have much more detailed and interesting discussions of this technology with older rather than younger folks. I find (just my experience and maybe the folks I choose to hang out with) that the younger generation tend to be users who know no more about how it works than my granny knew about how her telephone worked. But boy can they use it! My generation understood it down to the electron level. My kids understood it down to the IC level. My grand kids (teenagers - with a few exceptions) know how to use it but don't understand, or really care, how it works. Can't blame them, it's progress. The systems have become so complex that one pretty much has to specialize and folks with a general knowledge of hardware and software, theory and practice of entire systems are becoming a vanishing breed. That is true of much more than communications technology - the guy at the corner gas station probably can't fix your anti-skid braking system any more than the local pharmacy can sell you the part to fix your TV any more. Dave Sitting at his computer listening to an HF net on his software defined radio running on the same processor. John Smith wrote: Dave: No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all of them!) Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper software--a home security system with the proper card and related software and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future with them... John On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: Dee Flint wrote: "John Smith" wrote in message news PM: Let me give a summary of the "real world." If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware project would most likely be computer related. Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... John The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" that you seem to despise so. I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, etc. Dee D. Flint, N8UZE Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students wouldn't understand the question. My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix trick to show off. The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards of antennas, propagation, etc. Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm not that talented. Dave VE3HLU |
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