ldow@apldbio.com (Leslie Johnston-Dow) (03/16/90)
Subject: Re: JITF information on Bionet Newsgroups: bionet.molbio.genome-program References: <9003141547.AA06600@apldbio.com> <Mar.14.22.45.46.1990.16853@genbank.BIO.NET> In article <Mar.14.22.45.46.1990.16853@genbank.BIO.NET>, kristoff@genbank.BIO.NET (David Kristofferson) writes: > > I find it curious that after teaching probably a dozen people how to > use an electronic microscope during my lab days, the same group might > approach something like vnews with greater hesitation even though > proper operation of the microscope was much more involved. There was > always an initial suspicion about the use of electronic mail on behalf > of users who were new to the BIONET Resource (R.I.P.), but I knew many > who, after they actually tried it, found out that it really wasn't as > hard as they had feared after all. Too many people still recall > struggling with computers for hours at some point in the past to > accomplish a job which they could have done manually in minutes. This > memory prevents too many from wanting to get involved again. > Fortunately things have changed dramatically since the days of punch > cards! Dave, I think the above statement makes my point. The general biology community may have the perception that computers and (god forbid) a mailer or news reader is difficult if not impossible to decipher. The perception is everything. The only way to change that is through education. We are speaking of extremely intelligent people who are quite capable of understanding and using computers and Bionet. *But* if they perceive this to be a formidable task with little return on invested time they will not even try. My suggestion concerning a series of 'How-To' articles could help in re-educating the biology community and in changing this perception. In addition to serving as a basic step-by-step learning tool. Leslie Johnston-Dow ldow@apldbio.com or try biosys!ldow@cad.berkeley.edu The opinions here are all mine....not ABI's.