Thread: Want to learn more about computers?

What would you guys suggest as far as learning more about computers on your own? I have plenty of time at my job to devote to learning more about computers. Any good websites or books that I can get?

Originally Posted by AKPogue

What would you guys suggest as far as learning more about computers on your own? I have plenty of time at my job to devote to learning more about computers. Any good websites or books that I can get?

It's a pretty big subject. You might want to narrow the scope a bit...

Originally Posted by sfotex

It's a pretty big subject. You might want to narrow the scope a bit...

I am not quite sure because I don't know all that much but I guess it would be operating systems, how to troubleshoot problems, and just more knowledge of desktops and laptops.

Rafael Alonzo's I.T.F. Technical Computer Institute

You have to learn computers!

Well learning computers, you can start by familiarizing the operating system first and it is better to learn it by doing it. Discover them with the use of your manual.

I found that actualy they run on smoke

Get into photoshop, building websites, playing video games, video editing, whatever. Then you can narrow your focus a bit and it gives you something to do as you find your way around. Build your next desktop on your own, refuse to take your comp to a repair shop and google your fix, learn how to upgrade it, etc. Google is by far the single greatest resource for learning about computers. Tech geeks love the internet, all you could ever want to know is online.

If you have basic computing skills already and have time to kill I would just start playing with your computer and learn as you go. Don't be afraid to break things, there are tons of websites that will help you fix any problems. (assuming that you have another computer)
If you're looking for something to read, I would look at [ame="http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Certification-All-Guide-Sixth/dp/0072263113/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1250519220&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition (9780072263114): Michael Meyers: Books[/ame]
A read through that thing will be painfully boring but it does cover some basic troubleshooting and gives an idea of how everything works on your computer.

That being said, most every IT pro I've met learned the most about troubleshooting by learning how to reinstall their operating system and then proceeding to do stupid shit that would break their computers. If you find a problem that you can't fix then reinstall everything from scratch.

if you have a computer with enough processor/ram, install a virtual machine. that way you can mess with all sorts of operating systems and you wont hose your main comp.

other than that, i'd suggest you pick up an old p4 or something, cram in as much ram as it can hold and install linux. if you want to learn linux, go with slackware. if you just want to use linux, go with ubuntu.

Get the free version of VMWare server, http://www.vmware.com/products/server/

It's not really a "server", you can install it on Windows XP. VMWare will allow you to boot into other operating systems (linux or windows) and play around with out touching/harming/breaking anything on your original operating system.

edit: fez beat me to it!

The "Dummies" books are good, O'Reilly better but more technical.

Agree with most here, messing around with menus/settings can be educational. Most of the time, you'll get a "are you sure?" warning if you are about to do something really bad.
Tons of videos on youtube, sites with tutorials...

Originally Posted by Mr.Shortround

I would look at Amazon.com: CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition (9780072263114): Michael Meyers: Books

That being said, most every IT pro I've met learned the most about troubleshooting by learning how to reinstall their operating system and then proceeding to do stupid shit that would break their computers. If you find a problem that you can't fix then reinstall everything from scratch.

Yah I was thinking A+ when I first read this. You will probably learn the basics that you want to. Troubleshooting is just something you kind of learn as you go.

Originally Posted by fez

other than that, i'd suggest you pick up an old p4 or something, cram in as much ram as it can hold and install linux.

Totally, true there is nothing that helps you learn about computers better than trying to get x-windows and a wireless network to work on generic hardware.

Thanks for the tips!!

Originally Posted by XXX-er

I found that actualy they run on smoke

Trust me once you see the smoke, they pretty much QUIT running... Can never get the smoke back in them properly. Not the most pleasant smeel in the world either.

yup ,in another life I had the smoke leak out a good many times , something else blowing parts ,or yer tired or not paying attention plug in something hot and POOF!