7 ms·

I'd say go with #2 (technical college), to learn how to program micro-controllers with sensors and actuators, and have hands-on experience with equipment. That

by ableal 16y ago

I'd say go with #2 (technical college), to learn how to program micro-controllers with sensors and actuators, and have hands-on experience with equipment. That will give you a view-from-the-bottom perspective on CS; perhaps then you'll figure out if you need to climb to the top.

frossie 16y ago
I agree with that. As somebody with a science background, I feel self-study is great if I want to understand something, but for anything relating to manipulating a physical object, I find it much, much faster to have it demonstrated first, and to try it in front of a critical (in a nice way) person. For example I prefer to understand quantum mechanics from a book, but I would rather somebody showed me how to truss a chicken. EPID and all that, but I think there is a huge shortcut to be had by spending a little time with somebody who has the tools and skills you are trying to pick up. The rest you can figure out for yourself.
- zatara 16y ago
  I think you nailed it, this is the insight I was looking for and wasn't able to express myself. I've had this experience in the medical field and it is true, certain practical stuff (surgery, soldering, etc) requires demonstration/feedback. Thanks.
  - ableal 16y ago
    Let me add one thing that I forgot to mention: do not miss playing a bit with analog electronics - such as operational amplifiers with gain fixed by a negative feedback loop, low pass filters, oscillators, etc. ('Enlightenment' for EEs starts here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_amplifier#Non-inverting_amplifier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_amplifier#Non-inver... ) There's lots of fascinating systems/control theory that you can 'climb up' from there. You'll also find that part of what the body does is similar to those crude electronic systems. And a lot of the programmed digital control is emulation of the behavior of analog, but often with bells and whistles impossible in simple circuits.

by ableal 16y ago

frossie 16y ago

I agree with that. As somebody with a science background, I feel self-study is great if I want to understand something, but for anything relating to manipulating a physical object, I find it much, much faster to have it demonstrated first, and to try it in front of a critical (in a nice way) person. For example I prefer to understand quantum mechanics from a book, but I would rather somebody showed me how to truss a chicken. EPID and all that, but I think there is a huge shortcut to be had by spending a little time with somebody who has the tools and skills you are trying to pick up. The rest you can figure out for yourself.

zatara 16y ago
I think you nailed it, this is the insight I was looking for and wasn't able to express myself. I've had this experience in the medical field and it is true, certain practical stuff (surgery, soldering, etc) requires demonstration/feedback. Thanks.
- ableal 16y ago
  Let me add one thing that I forgot to mention: do not miss playing a bit with analog electronics - such as operational amplifiers with gain fixed by a negative feedback loop, low pass filters, oscillators, etc. ('Enlightenment' for EEs starts here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_amplifier#Non-inverting_amplifier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_amplifier#Non-inver... ) There's lots of fascinating systems/control theory that you can 'climb up' from there. You'll also find that part of what the body does is similar to those crude electronic systems. And a lot of the programmed digital control is emulation of the behavior of analog, but often with bells and whistles impossible in simple circuits.