Although I had limited experience with computers in elementary school (I couldn't tell you the brand of the computer, but I remember only green text, along with no image capabilities), my first true interaction with a computer on a regular basis was with a Hewlett-Packard desktop. When my father brought this mystical machine into our lives in 1996, the Peterson family had officially been ushered into a new technological era. As my family has never been quick to accept change (it seemed like we were the last family to get a CD player, DVD player, or cellular phones), we didn't really immerse ourselves in the brand new purchase. For example, we had no Internet access (we weren't online until 2001). The computer was mainly used to keep track of financial information, type papers for school, or play video games (it would be scary to see how many Duke Nukem hours my brothers and I logged).
However, this old beast of a computer definitely changed the way that I worked and played. For starters, typing papers became much easier. Having the ability to type papers at my leisure allowed me more time to produce quality work. This is something I couldn't do at school, always feeling the time crunch of the end of the period. Also, through the advanced learning method of "trial and error," I became very proficient in the ways of word processing. I remember struggling with just saving a document, figuring out how to copy/paste, or even simply being able to properly use page setup. As far as my gaming history was concerned, this was certainly a massive upgrade. Before the computer, a standard NES (Super Mario Bros. all the way) was the extent of my gaming life. Then, with the introduction of the computer, I had games with amazing graphics (in my eyes), more than two player capabilities, and the ability to save seasons (I loved sports games).
Since my first experience with a computer, many technological advancements have made my first computer a relic. As Dr. Sklar mentioned, browser speed outranks processing power. For example, I vividly remember my father purchasing extra memory for the computer, along with constantly deleting programs or applications that he deemed "were slowing down" the processor. Now, I understand that too much junk on your computer can certainly slow it down, but Internet speed is a larger concern at the present. High speed Internet no longer seems like a luxury, rather a necessity with most computer activity taking place online. It would be an absolute nightmare to switch back to a computer with no Internet, which reminds me how far technology has grew in my lifetime alone.
Jared,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how much we have come to rely on the Internet! I also find it hard to imagine what I would do without it. I mean, how could I have possibly mailed all of my bills? It is so wonderful to have information right at our fingertips too. It has become so easy to find the answer to a question just by going to Google and typing it in the search box.
I also remember document processing in high school and learning about the various word processing software available: Microsoft Works, Corel Word Perfect. All of them with different features and commands. I don't know how I ever managed with them.
I read about your Microsoft word experience and laugh about writing papers. I remember before computers I used to write a rough draft a million times before I had a final copy. I will admit that now I do not even write a paper. I typically type it from the top of my head. I then reread it on the computer, editing, and changing things right there. This has proven to save me so much time. Being able to type without having to write first is one of my favorite things with the computer. :) Do students at your school still have to write a rough draft before they can type? I know in 5th grade they make them write first because of the limited access to the computer lab.
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