Back to the Korax Forum Archives


Forum

Education?

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:19:48

TheCount

While going through old school stuff, to sort it out and throw away what's useless, I bumped into two sheets of paper with informatics lessons from my school, copied by my sister, 6 years ago. I know that it can be a bit outdated, but this is blatant bullshit:
8 bits > 1 byte > 1 character 1024 bytes > 1 Kbyte 1024 Kbytes > 1 Mbyte 1024 Mbytes > 1 Gbyte 1024 Gbytes > 1 Tbyte 1024 Tbytes > 1 Pbyte (next was a graphic explaining the information flow in a computer) [u:2uu1i9qm]Software[/u:2uu1i9qm]: programs that are "executed" in the computer. Non-material part of the system, logical part which gives the physical equipment the ability to perform any kind of task. Must be stored in a physical support. [u:2uu1i9qm]Base or system software[/u:2uu1i9qm]: programs that make the PC work as one, and allows us its programming and execution of our programs in a simple way. [u:2uu1i9qm]Operating System[/u:2uu1i9qm]: Allows the friendly and efficient use of hardware. [u:2uu1i9qm]Utilitaries[/u:2uu1i9qm]: translators: from source program to object program. (a page or a piece of it seems missing, it says -Text editors here) [u:2uu1i9qm]Application software[/u:2uu1i9qm]: programs meant for the resolution of problems and performing of specific tasks, programs that ease the user's tasks, etc. [u:2uu1i9qm]Informatic personnel:[/u:2uu1i9qm] [u:2uu1i9qm]User[/u:2uu1i9qm]: uses the computer in the last instance. [u:2uu1i9qm]Analysis personnel[/u:2uu1i9qm]: in charge of the development of the applications, regarding their design and the algorithm fomulation. Gives technical support to the users of existing applications. [u:2uu1i9qm]Programming personnel[/u:2uu1i9qm]: in charge of transmitting in a determinate programming language the designed algorithms en an application's analysis, and perform every process until the (the following is illegible) [u:2uu1i9qm]Extensions[/u:2uu1i9qm]: .doc > word .xls > excel .mdb > access .ppt > powerpoint .bmp > paint .ico > icons .exe > executable (already translated) .bat > executable .jpg > downloaded images from internet [u:2uu1i9qm]Search[/u:2uu1i9qm]: Name: *.doc > any word document Name: *auto* > anything that has "auto" > automóvil, procauto, etc. [u:2uu1i9qm]Multitask[/u:2uu1i9qm]: to work with uno or more programs simultaneously. [u:2uu1i9qm]Window[/u:2uu1i9qm] > organize everything > to work with many word documents simultaneously [u:2uu1i9qm]Informatics[/u:2uu1i9qm]: science that studies rational and automatic treatment of information. [u:2uu1i9qm]Data[/u:2uu1i9qm]: something I know. [u:2uu1i9qm]Information[/u:2uu1i9qm]: what I get through a data process. This information can also serve as data in another process. [u:2uu1i9qm]Hardware[/u:2uu1i9qm]: physical part of the computer, like the input/output periphericals, inputs or outputs. The hardware is useless without software. A [u:2uu1i9qm]peripherical[/u:2uu1i9qm]: it's a hardware's element with which the computer communicates with the exterior. There are input periphericals (keyboard, mouse, microphone), output periphericals (monitor, speakers) and input/output periphericals (modem, touchscreen) [u:2uu1i9qm]Control unit[/u:2uu1i9qm]: part of the CPU that "controls everything", it controls that the hardware works in a correct and efficient way. [u:2uu1i9qm]Aritmethical and logical unit[/u:2uu1i9qm]: part of the CPU that performs the aritmethic operation and the logic tests necessary for the execution of aritmethical and logical instructions. [u:2uu1i9qm]Bit[/u:2uu1i9qm]: 0 or 1 digit belongong to the binary system with which the machine works. 8 bits form a byte. [u:2uu1i9qm]Byte[/u:2uu1i9qm]: 8 bit group (256 characters). It's the minimum directionable unit. The capacity of the RAM memory is measured in bytes or multipliers of bytes. [u:2uu1i9qm]Modem[/u:2uu1i9qm]: element with which I can send and recieve information, specially through internet. [u:2uu1i9qm]Virus[/u:2uu1i9qm]: program that can damage every other one and cause the computer to malfunction. [u:2uu1i9qm]ASCII and EBCDIC encoding[/u:2uu1i9qm]: two different ways to group bits to form bytes. [u:2uu1i9qm]Compiler[/u:2uu1i9qm]: program that translates from the language we understand (source program) to the language the machine understands (object program). [u:2uu1i9qm]RAM[/u:2uu1i9qm]: memory that holds the data and instructions currently being used, but doesn't store them permanently. [u:2uu1i9qm]ROM[/u:2uu1i9qm]: memory that holds information that can't be altered or eliminated. Among it the programs of vital importance to start the machine are found. [u:2uu1i9qm]Informatics[/u:2uu1i9qm]: word of a french origin, formed by the contraction of the words INFORmation and autoMATIC. [u:2uu1i9qm]Informatic applications[/u:2uu1i9qm]: group of one or more programs that, along with the corresponding documentation, is useful for performing a certain task. [u:2uu1i9qm]Program[/u:2uu1i9qm]: group of orders or instructions that are given to a computer, in determinate sequences, to perform a certain process. [u:2uu1i9qm]Computer[/u:2uu1i9qm]: it's a machine comprised by physical elements, most of them electronical, capable of performing a great variety of tasks at a great speed, and with great precision as long as it's given the adequate instructions. [u:2uu1i9qm]Logical operations[/u:2uu1i9qm]: those which return the value True or False. [u:2uu1i9qm]Informatic System[/u:2uu1i9qm]: group of necessary elements to perform and exploit informatic applications. [u:2uu1i9qm]Information treatment:[/u:2uu1i9qm] 1.[u:2uu1i9qm]Input[/u:2uu1i9qm]: group of operations which mission is to study the data of the outside and send it to the computer. This data must remain in the RAM memory for its later treatment. 2.[u:2uu1i9qm]Processing[/u:2uu1i9qm]: group of aritmethic operations and logic test that are performed on data to obtein a result. 3.[u:2uu1i9qm]Output[/u:2uu1i9qm]: group of operations that allow to visualize the results of a data process. [u:2uu1i9qm]Data representation:[/u:2uu1i9qm] Internal: the one that the system interprets, based on zeroes and ones. Externa: the one we can understand with our senses. [u:2uu1i9qm]Character set[/u:2uu1i9qm]: letters, numbers and symbols, their order in their their external representation.
And we're still being taught that stuff, though not all. I tried to translate as precisely as possible. Luckily no one pays attention to informatics classes, because this is downright shameful. This might depend on the professor though, these are from the one who didn't know what ping was.
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:29:08

Valherran

<!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 08:14:12

Crimson Wizard

.jpg > downloaded images from internet
<!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> That was a good one. Just imagine: "-Granny, where are JPEGs come from? - Nobody really know, darling, though wise men sometimes mention Big Etherial Void..."
Informatics: word of a french origin, formed by the contraction of the words INFORmation and autoMATIC.
Funny, I didn't know (or didn't remember) that <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 08:20:17

RambOrc

As a qualified IT professional I must say it's not nearly as bad as you would like to make it sound.
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:21:05

TheCount

But you have to recognize some of the definitions are complete bullshit. Look at the ASCII description for God's sake..
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 16:13:16

Firebrand

Hehehe! It remembers me of my first computing classes on the first and second grades <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> . I never thought I would use all those things now <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->.
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 16:45:58

RambOrc

American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII), generally pronounced [ˈæski] ([[2]]), is a character encoding based on the English alphabet.
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC) is an 8-bit character encoding (code page) used on IBM mainframe operating systems, like z/OS, OS/390, VM and VSE, as well as IBM minicomputer operating systems like OS/400 and i5/OS (see also Binary Coded Decimal).
"to group bits to form bytes" is maybe not the best definition of the word "encoding", but it is a correct enough expression.
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:21:16

TheCount

Whatever... what about the attempt to define a batch file?
Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:44:03

RambOrc

You mean that .bat files are executable? They are.
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 03:04:33

TheCount

Very funny. The fact that the previous line says that the .exe's are compiled implies that the .bat are source code, and it defines them as almost the same thing. If I didn't know anything about computers, by looking at that I'd think that .bat's are source code.
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:05:09

Crimson Wizard

[quote="TheCount":2kfn71cw]Very funny. The fact that the previous line says that the .exe's are compiled implies that the .bat are source code, and it defines them as almost the same thing. If I didn't know anything about computers, by looking at that I'd think that .bat's are source code. They are. BAT's are interpreted source code.
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:34:34

RambOrc

TheCount give it up... you obviously now a lot less about IT than the people who compiled those sheets.
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:58:31

TheCount

I still find them misleading... and the person who supposedly wrote those, didn't "now" what ping.exe was when I asked her.
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:37:56

Crimson Wizard

Well, it's kinda confusing, but I do not know this too <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: -->
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:38:31

The 4th Class

Alright I get the last post on page 1. <!-- s8) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="8)" title="Cool" /><!-- s8) -->
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:38:55

RambOrc

Well count since you're not giving up and insist on embarrassing yourself even more, let's hear your definition of "ping.exe". <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P -->
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:47:41

TheCount

I know I'm stepping into a field I know too little about, but what the hell? "ping.exe" is the name and extension of an application which comes installed in most versions of Windows, it is executed from the command line and allows the user to check the response time between its computer and a specified server. It also resolves hostnames into IP addresses.
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:06:58

RambOrc

Now THIS was some real bullshit, unlike the stuff you call that. Ping is a tool (not an application) to check network connectivity between any two hosts, it has nothing to do with servers and clients. It also doesn't resolve hostnames into IP addresses, the DNS client service does that.
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:17:25

TheCount

And you tell me that it's ok not to notice the difference between the encoding definition and "ways to group bits to form bytes" but the people who don't will notice the difference between these two? Maybe I should define it like my professor did, and ask "wasn't that what linux was for"?
Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:24:19

RambOrc

Well my point was that one who is ignorant himself should not look down on the ignorance of others - but I guess you are too ignorant to grasp this. <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P -->
Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:53:04

TheCount

This "ignorant" is not attempting to give lessons in a highschool, and a prestigious one, that is.
Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:32:31

The 4th Class

I think you both are taking the other person a bit too literally here. Regarding the lecture notes Count opened this thread with: while they aren't the most descriptive definitions, at least none of them are flat-out misinformation (for the most part anyway). Look's like Count's old prof is trying to generalize and make accessible these different terms for his pre-adolescent students. Considering the wide mix he must have between apathetic students and hard-core wizkids, I think he did the job decently at best. And I did find some of them nice and funny, but then again I would have to be TheCount himself in order to fully understand and appreciate the history behind this note. Regarding Mr. Orc: Of course our green giant would have more wisdom regarding these issues than Count: he's a certified full-time IT engineer, plus he's over twice Count's age! That said, this thread for the most part is a joke. Nothing to take/create any hostility over. But I think Rambo's last thread does offer a very true point, perheps best paraphrased by the late Amos Alcott: "To be ignorant of one's ignorance is the malady of the ignorant." Consequently, behind Count's last thread also hides a very deep and enlightening message. I think what's he trying to say can be paraphased by Henry David Thoreau: "A man is wise with the wisdom of his time only, and ignorant with its ignorance." PS: Quite frankly I don't give a fuck about Ping.
Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:14:38

Valherran

All i got to say about all this is: <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->
Fri, 07 Sep 2007 12:43:43

Crimson Wizard

Very informative, indeed... <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /><!-- s:roll: -->
Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:17:17

RambOrc

[quote="The 4th Class":3qj9vkhg]PS: Quite frankly I don't give a fuck about Ping. Well you have been an AOL user for years so that says a lot about how much you know about the internet anyway. <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P -->
Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:54:42

The 4th Class

[quote="RambOrc":j25ym54s][quote="The 4th Class":j25ym54s]PS: Quite frankly I don't give a fuck about Ping. Well you have been an AOL user for years so that says a lot about how much you know about the internet anyway. <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P --> Only two years. :finger: Besides it wasn't my decision, it was my mom's. Not too sure why she picked it though. Back then I could have cared less, I was just happy my family had access to the Internet.
Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:13:27

Crimson Wizard

Hehehehe... on education topic.. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww</a><!-- m -->
Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:34:25

The 4th Class

This was the correct answer: [url:uhfy7ivl]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAZfZq8RBGo BTW Mike Gravel is one of my political heroes.
Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:15:12

Crimson Wizard

Well, ofcourse, everything he sais is so obvious... <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> But I'd say money is not the only need, methology of education is of great importance too, though it is perhaps a second step after the finance.
Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:08:20

The 4th Class

[quote="Crimson Wizard":3nvl32dj]But I'd say money is not the only need, methology of education is of great importance too, though it is perhaps a second step after the finance. Indirectly he made those exact same points. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> To be fair I've never taken school in the US, so I can only give personal attitudes about the school system of my own country (and even then my own province, over here education is a provincial responsibility). Overall I think the education over here is good, could be better but I'm satisfied. But one thing that really pisses me off is how disproportionally different tuition fees are from province to province. Like, the province with the lowest average tuition at around maybe $1,600 per year, while my province has one of the highest, at around $5,000. And the gov't's answer seems to be providing more student loan programs, or making more scholarships and bursuries. Don't get me wrong those are great things, but all that money could be used to freeze and lower tuition overall. That's one example at how we can better allocate our finances. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->
Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:44:15

The 4th Class

<3 [url:2h0jaydi]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aKHakMfV5s&mode=related&search= [url:2h0jaydi]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PU9Lm6V1rc&mode=related&search=

Back to the Korax Forum Archives