i want to learn more about computers and want advice. (LONG!)?

Question

last december i put together a barebones kit computer i purchased off tigerdirect. i had no problems. i've switched out the videocard twice since, and switched from a cd drive to a dvd writer. my computer runs better then many of my friends and families do, because i turn off system restore and automatic updates, i don't have anything start with windows, i don't do anything that will give me virus' or malware, (which is why i don't need system restore, that and the fact i can re-install windows no problem, i've backed up all my programs' installation files on a flash drive)

so i feel understand a lot about windows 95 to xp. and i know a thing or two about hardware.

what i want to learn is programming languages, i want to understand registry files better, i want to know more about the internal workings of software and operating system stuff (subroutines? is that the right word for it?)

i've tried teaching myself python, but other then using it as a calculator i haven't gotten far. i took one class in high school that started us off with turbo pascal (i think that's what it was called) but i could really figure out was how to make cheesy text based adventures, many of which were lame and buggy. i failed the class and have long since graduated.

i have repeatedly used the half-life 1 level creator to make copies of my friends' houses, and recently did the same with hl2's software developer kit to do the same, but all i'm really doing is creating shapes and putting them in the right place, then filling them with monsters that don't really act like they should.


i'm sick of being a cook in a restuarant, and want to get a computer related job, but i don't have a degree in anything. i'm someone who can't learn in a classroom easily, i need to do it on my own first, but i need a push in the right direction.

what should i try to teach myself? should i try to start figuring out linux? or maybe study visual languages (from what little i've researched, they would be more similar to hl2's sdk?) or should i stick to reformating my families virus ridden computers on the side while dropping french fries and delicious hot wings?

Answer 1

I attend a community college. Look into your A+ N+ Server+



go to monster.com and see what employers are looking for they are also have "boot camps" for MCSE and MCSA. If your really like computer repair you are allready ahead of your competition you would not believe how many look at PC repair and maintenance as a chore.



Go to monster.com and look up. Desktop Support, System Administrator, Networking Administrator, Networking Technician. Go from there.



Visit your local community colleges for clases. They almost always have an A+ class.

Answer 2

I find that "Learn ??? in ??? Days" books gives a good jump start to teaching. However you need to have enough curiosity.interest to continue the learning after completing the book. Some of the books are even free on the net (like the "Learn Perl in 21 days" book is being served illegally by a Russian site), but you can buy them too. Remember they only gives you a good jump start, enabling you to at least have novice skills, instead of no skills. .



In my case, I need a project or something to ensure there will be a RETURN on the time I INVEST in learning computer stuff. I know lots of stuff from decades of learning stuff (wasting time) and a lot of it is not used anymore. So what I am trying to say is there is lots out there to learn and you should make sure what you're learning will have value ( for example don't waste time learning Pascal). You can probably imagine you can spend a life time learning computer stuff, so just make sure it will have some value.



I hear that question about the registry a lot. Once you write a program, you will notice you need a place to save settings, preferences, and such (like what color the user wants for the background). You could save the settings in a file or you could use the Microsoft facility called the registry (Unix uses files!!!). The registry holds settings for programs and some of those settings are cryptic (like whatever the programmer dreams of). The settings make applications (like Windows, etc) behave differently (and some people might consider it magical). The setting are interpreted by the application (program), so the sky is the limit for what the setting will do... without documentation or testing, you would not know the purpose of the settings (the name of it sometimes gives you a clue). There are millions/billions of settings for the programs on your machine and I generally consider it a waste of time trying learn about any them (unless there is value in learning them; its just a waste of time).



Good luck!

Answer 3

Install Linux and learn about that. Try getting a popular distro like Ubuntu and learn as much as you can about it.



If you want to learn more about computers, you'll need to surround yourself with like-minded people. Try taking a class at a local community college or join a Linux forum online. Ideally, you should get a job at a local company doing tech support for computer stuff and get paid while you learn, but depending on where you live that could be tough.



As fun as playing around with game creators are, it's not going to help any future tech career much. Your time would be better spent getting certifications such as A+, MCSE or CCNA or trying to learn more about python.

Answer 4

A lot of people go into Linux nowadays, now that it has increased awareness thanks to Google's close ties to the Linux platform.



Learning how to use Linux is a good advantage. and knowing how to code in PHP and SQL is an even greater one because it's a common language that lots of companies need.



But there is no "most common" programming language. It kind of depends on what areas you prefer to get into, e.g PHP and SQL are for databases, legacy systems require COBOL and C++, and at enterprise level you'd typically go into J2EE (Java) and ,Net.



Microsoft also offers training programs and that could also earn you a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer/Admin Certificate.

Answer 5

Linux does give you all the tools you need and shell scripting is a great way to learn to program. You Tube has tutorials and there are lots of sites with free books. Never try to use a programming book that isn't new (with some famous exceptions) as they date very quickly.