When I first started w/ computers (an Apple //e) a lot of friends wondered what it was good for, and thought that balancing their check-book would be their main use. I would explain that you buy a computer WHEN you have a problem that a computer will actually HELP with. Check-book balancing isn’t sufficiently challenging (but Quicken probably is a lot more interesting now than a spreadsheet was then). Now, of course, I mostly use my expensive laptop to browse the web, read email… and listen to music while I do programming.
Algolei I over 3 years ago
I’m reading this on a rock, because I’m a Luddite.
Concretionist over 3 years ago
When I first started w/ computers (an Apple //e) a lot of friends wondered what it was good for, and thought that balancing their check-book would be their main use. I would explain that you buy a computer WHEN you have a problem that a computer will actually HELP with. Check-book balancing isn’t sufficiently challenging (but Quicken probably is a lot more interesting now than a spreadsheet was then). Now, of course, I mostly use my expensive laptop to browse the web, read email… and listen to music while I do programming.
PoodleGroomer over 3 years ago
He would get more use out of a new internet connected refrigerator, spend less money, and save energy by not holding the door open.
Michael G. over 3 years ago
Scott Meyer has done a great job of showing us all that you can’t pick your family, but you can pick your friends. To pieces.