Which is the best?

[Government007]

I am trying to get an early start on computers and need some help. I am 16 and want to get extremely involved in computers. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good way to get started? Should I read books, if so, what. Or should I take online training, and from where? If you have any ideas please help?

THANKS

[AnakiMana]

Well, you didn't specify in what field of computers... but you'll probably want to learn programming, HTML, or computer repair. The best way to learn about something is to mess around with it. Reading and classes will help, but you really need experience. If you want to learn programming, try creating a program with a specific goal in mind and don't give up until you achieve it. If HTML interests you, make a couple web sites by hand coding. And if tech support is what you wanna know, you'll need a computer... and probably volunteer to help troubleshoot friends'/family's computers.

Plus, tuning into these discussion boards and reading lots of reviews (cuz they usually explain how things work).

#1 most important - You need the right attitude! I CAN FIX ANYTHING.

Hope this helps,
AnakiMana

[qball]

AnakiMana makes some good points.

I'll add some more;
Get a computer. You can read books until the end of time, doing stuff 'hands on' will learn you good, grasshopper.

Start with HTML, it is easy and all you need is a browser and a text editor. Get a HTML for dummies book. Additionally, when you see HTML you like, you can always view the source and reuse it yourself. HTML is the interface of now and the future.

Next you will most likely move on to either application (Microsoft Office) programming or real programming. I would recommend learning FORTRAN or C or Basic, one of the structured languages. This will give you the basics of programming. From there you can move onto Delphi or PowerBuilder(I recommend) or VB. This will allow you to apply your structured programming skills in a sophisticate 4gl (4th gen language) environment.

From here you will want to move into the Object Oriented (OO) world. PowerBuilder is excellent at this as it it much easier and intuitive than Java.

Once you get your feet wet with OOP, then you can really move onto Java. Any sooner (you could start learning it right now, don't let me discourage you) and you will not understand the complexity of a very High level OO language like java.

[otheos]

First of all get rid of windows.
You want to learn computers? you need unix. get Linux to begin with. System administration, networking, html, c, perl etc they will all come together under linux. If you want to follow a professional IT carrer or become a research scintist (in any field), unix is the way to go. Up until now, I never met an IT man or a scientist that uses windows. Windows is great, but for home use.

[This message has been edited by otheos (edited 08-19-2000).]

[alpha]

Yep, Linux is the way to go. A friend of mine, the best damned tech I've ever met, smokes fine french ciggarettes, keeps his dog in a homemade container with cooling fans while he's at work and runs linux. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif Oh, and he has a huge big beard http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif Get a beard!!!