ekblaw (12/01/82)
#N:uiucdcs:10400026:000:2580
uiucdcs!ekblaw Dec 1 11:34:00 1982
This note was inspired by "The Changing Face of Micro-computing" of a few
days back. The author of that note made some excellent observations and
comments about this natural progression. As a budding Computer Science
student, I recognize that guys like myself are (at least in part) responsible
for the proliferation of 'personal computers' and the resultant software.
After all, did we not claim that the computer was not to be feared, and was
such a useful tool that we would soon be using it like we presently use our
automobiles? In fact, we went further than that, we said that our up-and-
coming products would be so easy to use that a child could become quite
proficient in their use, and the child would learn more, etc. It almost
follows logically that if a child could use and benefit from such a tool, then
the parent could benefit even more, and "Look, honey, this wonderful tool is
now quite affordable! We owe it to ourselves and our children to buy one."
We claimed that everyone and anyone could learn to program this wonderful
tool, and we knew that was a half-truth. I am presently working for the
Dept. of Comp. Sci. at the University of Illinois in a beginning level
programming course for engineers (sophmores). I believe that the present
entry requirements for the College of Engineering include an ACT composite
score of 29, so these people are some of the cream of the crop. Yet every
semester, there are a large number who have trouble dealing with FORTRAN.
A recent exam question asked the student to write a program segment which
would print the word HELLO. Some of the answers we recieved were quite
hilarious, but very sobering to one who believed that programming could
become one of the skills of the masses.
To my mind, the beauty of the Microcomputer Revolution is that many people
who would not have discovered their own talent for programming can now indulge
in it. We who enjoy doing our own programming will continue to enjoy our
work, and yes, our ranks will grow. And the commercial software houses will
continue to churn out programs for those who don't enjoy programming. By the
way, I also believe that the availability of useful public-domain software
will increase, as more programmers are irritated by poorly-written commercial
software and the lack of documentation.
This note was become longer than I would have hoped, and I'm sorry if you,
like myself, have to look at it at 300 baud. If you have any comments,
feel free to drop me a line.
{decvax,ucbvax,harpo}!pur-ee!uiucdcs!ekblaw Rick Ekblaw