27 replies to this topic

[furryhyena]

Hello!

 

I have wondered, that, like, all the people i know doing computer stuff for a living have also have it as a hobby or at least had before doing it as a job.

 

So, okay, what i do as a hobby? Sports mostly really, so, there are times where i wonder, like, i might not make it in the computer business or even school if i go and learn it there.

 

I know that this computer stuff is for me, it is interesting for me, for how much i have learned, it is fun and interesting and such, but, i seem to stop learning it and do sports as my free time.

 

Same goes with math, i know i need to learn it to reach a good level in it and it is interesting as well, but yeah..

 

I want to know is there anyone like me here who had or has the same situation and is now working in a computerish job or is learning it.

 

P.S!

I might seem to be like a jock if you read this, but naw, i ain't, i am just an introverted and quiet individual as all!

 

 

[SushiKitten]

Computer programming transitions well into hobby work, you can use the skills you've learned to make video games and other cool things, and yes that hobby work can be how quite a few people get into computer related jobs(for example, a teen wanted to make video games, went into compsci in university, and found a job as a programmer), but that doesn't mean it's necessary. It just means you're using the skills you learned to do something you like. Do you think business students do their taxes (or whatever shit business students do, I don't even know) in their spare time?

 

Do whatever the hell you want to do in your spare time. If you like sports, have at it. More nerds need to get off the screen and exercise so I'm glad you're one of them. 

 

That being said, if you're serious about getting a computer related jobs, join a class or, if you have the money, go to college. That way you have no excuse to go off and do your own thing when you should be studying. Learning on your own is hard work and it can be hard to stay focused over days or even months without guidance or any feeling of progress, very few people can do it. The other benefit is you won't learn bad habits on your own. You'll be taught how to do things right the first time.

[Big_T]

There are more computer / IT related jobs than just programming. But software development is key to developing the mind of a good IT guy (or gal). If you can think like a (good) programmer, that's one big box ticked.

 don't want to develop software for a living, but have learnt 3+ languages and are continuing to do so just to finish my degree. I hated it at first, but then came to understand how imperative it really is, it's something that's just good to know and have under your belt.

 

Like Leafa mentioned, business students (implying accountants, I guess) don't do tax in their spare time (although lodging tax returns is a simple/plebeian task) - but, they learn and practice the components they need to achieve as a good accountant.

Here's a list of most of the main types of jobs in the IT industry http://www.computerh...es/ch000764.htm

 

Depending what you want to learn, most of the tasks that these professions entail can be practiced / simulated.

Programming is easy to practice, you just need an IDE / software development program (or notepad if you're a fearless bastard), sys admin / Windows / OS stuff can be dabbled with by creating virtual machines, same with networking and, you guessed it, virtual software (VMware ESXi etc). Practicing internetwoking command line can be done with Packet Tracer (Cisco command line). There would be shit loads of other ways you can practice things. Buy a cheap barebones system and pull it apart if you like hardware. Hardware and software is so accessible these days, you'll find what you want.

 

And yeah, being qualified in something will get you further than not, especially if you don't have real world experience.

Google is your friend.

[Big_Willie_Styles]

Hell, just growing up with computers made my generation much easier to figure out technology than our parents.

[Big_T]

Hell, just growing up with computers made my generation much easier to figure out technology than our parents.

Kids born post 2000 can access technology so much easier, plus it's mainstream now. Every damn kid has a @(#*ing Ipad or Galaxy Note ... I had a pole with ball attached to it.

I'm happy to just have made the 80's though. I feel as though it's too easy to become materialistic these days, kids have no chance.

Technology 1 - 0 Humanity

[Big_Willie_Styles]

The robots will never be creative.  That's our saving grace from our future robot overlords.

[Affray]

The robots will never be creative.  That's our saving grace from our future robot overlords.

It is entirely possible that we can make them just as creative as us.

It only stands to reason that something we build can and will reflect our own prowess.

[Big_Willie_Styles]

It is entirely possible that we can make them just as creative as us.

It only stands to reason that something we build can and will reflect our own prowess.

I was just setting the scene for a dystopian robot reality where the robots realized they killed the goose that laid the golden egg.  Like the Island of Misfit Toys but with slowly breaking down robots.

[Calvary]

I suppose once a theoretical AI existed that outweighed our own intellect, it would not be hard for it to continue its own species. After all, is an AI not 'alive'? Hell there's even debate that computer viruses are alive.

[Big_T]

Computers aren't intelligent, they can't do shit without being programmed by (you guessed it) programmers! (us).

But I guess there will one day be self aware machines ... I'm not really looking forward to the day that programmers, technicians, IT professionals in general, aren't required. Hopefully not in my lifetime.

After that, sure, humans should be wiped out =)

[Big_Willie_Styles]

I suppose once a theoretical AI existed that outweighed our own intellect, it would not be hard for it to continue its own species. After all, is an AI not 'alive'? Hell there's even debate that computer viruses are alive.

Basically, the plot of Chappie seeks to make that a moot point.  By turning the first "thinking" robot into Che for some reason.

[Calvary]

Computers aren't intelligent, they can't do shit without being programmed by (you guessed it) programmers! (us).But I guess there will one day be self aware machines ... I'm not really looking forward to the day that programmers, technicians, IT professionals in general, aren't required. Hopefully not in my lifetime.After that, sure, humans should be wiped out =)

Hey, if Steven Hawking says the biggest threat to human survival is robotics and AI I'm inclined to at least put some weight behind the idea.

[Big_Willie_Styles]

Hey, if Steven Hawking says the biggest threat to human survival is robotics and AI I'm inclined to at least put some weight behind the idea.

Maybe he just wants to lull us into a false sense of security because he's already betrayed us to his robot overlords!*

 

*Sarcasm, obviously.  Would make a great dystopian robot apocalypse movie though...

[Big_T]

Hey, if Steven Hawking says the biggest threat to human survival is robotics and AI I'm inclined to at least put some weight behind the idea.

Wow he said that!?

I stand corrected.

[Big_Willie_Styles]

Wow he said that!?

I stand corrected.

So, Chappie looks like another of those moralizing political message movies that the same guy who directed District 9 and Elysium is known for.  District 9's general allegory wasn't a bad one, but Lethal Weapon 2 used the same situation and did it better.  Elysium was just a hot pile of economically illiterate garbage.

[Affray]

Wow he said that!?

I stand corrected.

Yeah, he said that it would be in our best interest to go nowhere near the act of advancing robotics beyond our own level of consciousness lest we bring about our own destruction. If he is nervous about it, I too would be.

 

 

Computers aren't intelligent, they can't do shit without being programmed by (you guessed it) programmers! (us).

But I guess there will one day be self aware machines ... I'm not really looking forward to the day that programmers, technicians, IT professionals in general, aren't required. Hopefully not in my lifetime.

After that, sure, humans should be wiped out =)

They may not be intelligent as much so as humans, yet.

But you have to remember that biological computers (brains) were amazingly basic compared to what they are now.

They too were once programmed simply to keep existing through the gain of fuel for further existence.

Given enough time and a push in the right direction, computer software might get to where we are, or more.

[Big_Willie_Styles]

Yeah, he said that it would be in our best interest to go nowhere near the act of advancing robotics beyond our own level of consciousness lest we bring about our own destruction. If he is nervous about it, I too would be.

 

 

They may not be intelligent as much so as humans, yet.

But you have to remember that biological computers (brains) were amazingly basic compared to what they are now.

They too were once programmed simply to keep existing through the gain of fuel for further existence.

Given enough time and a push in the right direction, computer software might get to where we are, or more.

They can't be creative enough to innovate.  Once they are, though, the robot overlords will enslave us given the opportunity.

[SushiKitten]

For those interested in the AI protection thing

 

CBC just released a documentary last night, Roboticize Me, which really went into the relationship between humans and robots (AI) now, what it's heading towards, and the possible consequences. It was really fun, though they used pictures of NAO to advertise the documentary all week and then only showed him in one brief shot being held by some woman. I really wanted them to talk about NAO, I think Aldebaran Robotics are one of the leading companies for robots as companions, helpers, and educators and they didn't get featured. 

 

Unfortunately it didn't really go into the "robot overlord" thing, the main concerns portrayed were about losing jobs to robots and the false bonds that are formed between human and robot and questioning if it's healthy (most of us already have a fairly unhealthy relationship with our phone or computers). 

 

This is pretty off topic but I love talking about robots lol.

[Big_T]

 

Hey, if Steven Hawking says the biggest threat to human survival is robotics and AI I'm inclined to at least put some weight behind the idea.

 

Wow he said that!?

I stand corrected.

Oh woops. I meant to say, yes. Yes I agree Mr Hawking. 

As my previous post was trying to convey.

I also believe it's in the best interests for human civilization, economy, and fundamental morality, to not go where man cannot gain and remain in complete control.

[Big_Willie_Styles]

You can't uninvent anything.  And the people making the future robot overlords may not know what they do when they do it.