Re: Becoming a "Super User" (was Re: Teach files to AppleWorks Gs)

[Toby Reiter <str4552@OBERLIN.EDU>]

On 4 Dec 1996, Nathan Mates wrote:

> In article <Pine.PMDF.3.91.961203205323.871576D-100000@OBERLIN.EDU>,
> Toby Reiter  <str4552@OBERLIN.EDU> wrote:
> >Not really.  You can give me the clearest information in the world about 
> >the two formats, but unless you handed me the code, I doubt I could 
> >create a workable program.
> 
>    If you currently realize that you can't program, you can do one of
> two things about it: (1) figure that learning to program would be too
> much trouble or (2) figure that you *want* to learn. In the first case,
> just be quiet and let others program for you. In the second, if you want
> to learn, you'll go out and learn, rather than waiting some magical
> "how to program" 10-line FAQ to drop into your lap.

This is exactly what I was saying--I just was looking for suggestions on 
what I should look into in order to learn more about programming the 
Apple II (i.e. I have looked at the IIgs Hardware reference--the only 
IIgs book at the local libraries--and it was way over my head.)

>    I just checked out http://www.oberlin.edu-- the school your email
> address implies you attend happens to have a Computer Science
> department. It should have some classes on programming. You'll
> probably learn much more from a class than any 'programming FAQ'.

I am in CSCI 150, the introductory programming course, and plan on going 
for the minor.  However, there are very few (read none) Apple II 
programming courses, surprise!:)  Therefore, I was looking for some info 
on some books I could read to get a better idea of the toolbox, etc.

>    Uhh, that book is right next to the book for "how to fly an
> airplane without getting in one" or "read this book, get your first
> driver's license." A very small percentage can read a book and learn
> things fine from it. Far more need practice from a human
> instructor. Take an Electrical Engineering or Physics Lab intro course
> at your university for the hands-on, practical experience in doing
> something. Or, find a friend with a soldering iron and ask him for a
> few lessons in using it. 

Well, there are no Electrical engineering courses at Oberlin, probably 
because there is no engineering program of any kind. The only thing close 
is a midi circuitry class offered by the digital music program at the 
Conservatory.  I am planning on teaching myself some basic electronics, 
etc. over the January session, but it would be nice to know a good book 
to look at (if such exists).

>    If you don't know what to do next to expand your knowledge, then
> you're either overwhelmed by options (which I don't think is the
> case), or you just don't know what to ask/research/etc. I recommend
> figuring out *what* you want to know more about, then you can start
> asking the right questions.

I am definitely the latter.  I have only been part of the Apple II 
community for a period of two years, and I only know of two people in my 
town who have IIgs--both of them use them essentially as fast IIe's, or 
even not at all.  As a result, I often don't know what I need to ask, 
because I don't even know what there is to ask about.

>    There are a set of general newbie questions that everyone wants to
> know (downloading, etc), but knowledge *expands*. The more specific
> you get, the more questions it prompts on more and more things. Thus,
> an "intermediate level" FAQ would probably be 10x larger than a newbie
> FAQ, and an encyclopedia-sized document would cover most of what an
> expert could know about Apple IIs. Part of being the expert is knowing
> where to look when you don't know offhand.

Good point. :)


Thanks, Nathan,
Toby Reiter