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Andrey “Rarst” Savchenko —  — Thoughts — cat, computer

Three phases of computer mastery

Sometimes I feel like people split the world of computers into black and white. Regular people and the geeks. Normal and not quite. Reaching for a beer on Friday and reaching for a programming book (and a beer).

But there are so many shades of grey between novice users and super gurus! As for me there are three distinct steps on that ladder. Three phases we started to walk through first time we touched a computer.

Submissive

The first thing we do with computer is what we are told to. Really, using computer is not like breathing.

computer_cat_submissive

computer_cat_submissive

Photo by Douglas Woods

You begin with someone patiently (or not) telling you how to turn it on. Which buttons to press. How to get what you want (or get paid for) done.

It’s not as much using computer, as using instructions for computer. Plus mandatory state of panic when something goes wrong.

Explorative

Unless instructions are just fine for you sooner or later you get curious.

computer_cat_explorative

computer_cat_explorative

Photo by Tim Bartel

Is there something beyond “click this, then that”? What the rest of buttons on keyboard do? What does hum so unpleasantly inside?

This is probably the widest and longest phase. It has all kind of people, from inquiring beginner users to long-time IT professionals.

Authoritative

And then the real paradigm shift occurs. You are no longer told what to do with computer. You tell computer what to do.

computer_cat_authoritative

computer_cat_authoritative

Photo by Tiffa Day

This phase is usually about understanding explosive potential of just how much and how fast computer can do. How to make it do work and tasks that you find boring. How to make it perform not like someone else programmed it to, but exactly like you want it.

It’s not really about diving into programming. It is about understanding the potential of how fast and flexible of a tool computer is.

Overall

The morale of this story? You may not want to become enlightened computer guru. And most certainly you don’t have to.

However if you want to make real use of your computer then pressing same buttons day after day is not enough.

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8 Comments

  • Jason H #

    Good points. I expected to see a disclaimer at the bottom of the article though: No kitties were harmed in the writing of this post. Have a good weekend, Rarst.

  • Rarst #

    @Jason H I had to banish cat from my lap several times in process, so can't really claim that. :) Well, at least from cat's viewpoint...

  • Chocobito #

    I miss my explorative phase, is the most funny phase. I like your cats a lot. :)

  • Rarst #

    @Chocobito Not mine (yay for flickr and creative commons). I would use mine, but I don't have a camera and I doubt it is possible to get sincere and honest noob look out of him. :)

  • Saurabh #

    You illustrated your point really well. :)

  • Rarst #

    @Saurabh Thanks. :) I didn't do illustrated posts in a while... I like how occasional use of cute imagery can set a nice mood.

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  • Mike Mckoy #

    I actually dig that. Very cool.