6 ms·

Learning how to use, configure and create open source is definitely one of the highest-proficiency forms of computer usage. Especially creating but even using

Learning how to use, configure and create open source is definitely one of the highest-proficiency forms of computer usage. Especially creating but even using open source requires a bevvy of advanced skills identifying appropriate software and getting it to run. The strongest 5% of computer users they found can barely search email and some % are pursuing incredibly sophisticated skills through open source setting up their own email server or writing one. That's the relevancy. This study stopped counting at 3rd level with multipage forms basically... what’s a Linux terminal or git or swift or json/yaml configuration files if not highly advanced computer usage. 3rd, 4th, 5th, 100th, somewhere up there is a proficiency-level where you build your own computer in Minecraft for the fun of it and write languages and operating systems and these skills are learned and shared through open source more than anything. I think if they had kept tracking the higher levels of proficiency by the time they got to open source users and developers there is a chasm between their ability to use computers to solve problems vs the 3rd-level person - data munging, web scraping, scripting, machine learning, advanced internet searching, bespoke software...

AdieuToLogic 7y ago
> Learning how to use, configure and create open source is definitely one of the highest-proficiency forms of computer usage. Some of the most successful accountants, CFO's, and stakeholders I have met would beg to differ. > I think if they had kept tracking the higher levels of proficiency by the time they got to open source users and developers there is a chasm between their ability to use computers to solve problems vs the 3rd-level person ... This is a straw man argument[0]. OSS != "higher levels of [computer] proficiency". 0 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man
- benologist 7y ago
  Look at the steps to set up WordPress. These steps can impart a lot of knowledge on the people following them. There are classical models of learning that seem very applicable - learning by doing, experiential learning and rote learning. The article is very clear society doesn't make highly proficient computer users, so if using open source doesn't create them where could they possibly be coming from? - domain registration - web hosting - put Wordpress on the hosting - configure Wordpress https://www.shivarweb.com/website-setup https://www.shivarweb.com/website-setup
  - AdieuToLogic 7y ago
    Solving problems can be done in many ways. I reach first for OSS myself, but that's just me. Others solve the problems they must with tools which are not OSS. What matters most is solving the problem at hand, not what tools are used. I'm just a random Internet account, trying to impart a bit of perspective. Do with it what you shall.
jodrellblank 7y ago
using open source requires a bevvy of advanced skills identifying appropriate software and getting it to run. Are you taking the position that open source is heroic because it has garbage user experience?
- benologist 7y ago
  I'm taking the position that open source is how advanced computer skills are learned today, through trying to use it, configure it, host it, maintain it, write it etc. Just look at the steps for setting up WordPress, it's a 101-level project on internet and web hosting. Reading and writing open source is a vital part of how people learn to use highly-advanced tools. I think this education is a really overlooked benefit of open source. https://www.shivarweb.com/website-setup https://www.shivarweb.com/website-setup

AdieuToLogic 7y ago

> Learning how to use, configure and create open source is definitely one of the highest-proficiency forms of computer usage. Some of the most successful accountants, CFO's, and stakeholders I have met would beg to differ. > I think if they had kept tracking the higher levels of proficiency by the time they got to open source users and developers there is a chasm between their ability to use computers to solve problems vs the 3rd-level person ... This is a straw man argument[0]. OSS != "higher levels of [computer] proficiency". 0 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

benologist 7y ago
Look at the steps to set up WordPress. These steps can impart a lot of knowledge on the people following them. There are classical models of learning that seem very applicable - learning by doing, experiential learning and rote learning. The article is very clear society doesn't make highly proficient computer users, so if using open source doesn't create them where could they possibly be coming from? - domain registration - web hosting - put Wordpress on the hosting - configure Wordpress https://www.shivarweb.com/website-setup https://www.shivarweb.com/website-setup
- AdieuToLogic 7y ago
  Solving problems can be done in many ways. I reach first for OSS myself, but that's just me. Others solve the problems they must with tools which are not OSS. What matters most is solving the problem at hand, not what tools are used. I'm just a random Internet account, trying to impart a bit of perspective. Do with it what you shall.

jodrellblank 7y ago

using open source requires a bevvy of advanced skills identifying appropriate software and getting it to run. Are you taking the position that open source is heroic because it has garbage user experience?

benologist 7y ago
I'm taking the position that open source is how advanced computer skills are learned today, through trying to use it, configure it, host it, maintain it, write it etc. Just look at the steps for setting up WordPress, it's a 101-level project on internet and web hosting. Reading and writing open source is a vital part of how people learn to use highly-advanced tools. I think this education is a really overlooked benefit of open source. https://www.shivarweb.com/website-setup https://www.shivarweb.com/website-setup