mad cow ;)

i don't agree. at least not with everything.

and the reason is very simple. i ask you, horny cow, how did you get to be an "expert" with computers? right, you got your comp from your parents, and then you tried to do everything you could with it.

good and bad stuff. you probably erased couple of files that you needed, or even worse, formated the whole hard drive.

but that is how we humans learn. trough trial-and-error.

(granted, there wasn't internet back then, so you couldn't do much demage even if you tried, but why should that fact take that interesting expiriense from new computer kids? i don't think it should)


on the other hand, about testing smbd that will WORK for $$$ on computers, i agree. but that still will not eliminate kids (and older kids) playing at home, oppening attachements "because they didn't know any better".


as for licencing the kids too, well, i don't know if that could work. soon, there will be milions of schools that give this kind of permits to kids, but that would mean more $$$ to spend for the kid's parent.

so, let's see now. first, kid gets his parent to buy some hardware. then, that hardware is useless without sw, so more $$. and when they buy the SW, the kid isn't alowed to use it before it gets a licence, and that is even more $$$.

if thing where like that some 15 years ago, i don't know if my father could afford to get me a computer, and sw, AND licence. so, maybe i wouldn't even know what computers are today...

so, NO, i don't think we should do that to todays kids...


(don't do smth to others that you don't want others to do to you)

You make some valid points, how can someone learn if they aren't licensed to use the tools that they need to learn?

Maybe the exam could test someone's COMMON sense rather than computer skills. Then at least you know you are dealing with someone that has thinking skills....

As for the fees, I don't like them either.....don't know what to do about that one...

Ok, Lets look at kids. My child has computer classes in kindergarten. They should be taught in school and get their license there. See problem solved. As for my experience people like us understand how computers work and don't make those stupid errors. I would not be opposed to taking a test any day. Many people are, well, inferior to us. Life isn't fair some are smarter than others.

Would you let someone without any experience walk into a chemical lab and just start mixing chemicals together? Sounds dangerous don't it. Sitting at a computer on the internet without training is almost as dangerous maybe more.

I would just like to say this.
I agree with postalcow on his topic of licensing computers users. Spend on hour on the other end of a stupid computer user and try to help them out when they have no idea and you will see what I mean. I worked for 2 years on a college helpdesk staff, with wireless internet capabilities and when you tell a COLLEGE student to move his mouse and click here on the desktop and they ask you the mouse or desktop?, then you will understand why people need a computer lesson before they should be allowed to use one. My mother is 54 years old and would rather use a typewriter and pen before learning computers because they are too complex.
As for kids using computers in kindergarden, that's really not what kids should be doing. I started using computers 10 years ago and taught it all myself before the internet came out for the public and I am 23 years old. Kids should be kids and play outside and get exercise because before you know it parents and gaurdians and teachers, they will be grown up and out of the house, drinking beer at college, having sex in your bed when your away and well being a grown up. Let them be a kid for alittle while and keep them out of places they shouldn't be, chat rooms because America depends on people that have good communication skills IN PERSON, not in words, because words don't mean anything, facial expressions do and so does the old fashion handshake.
So licensing is a good idea and should be done. Hope to hear more on this topic in the future because our children are who is going to run the country when we can't anymore.
Ohh and one other thought to ponder, when a parent buys a college student a $3,000 computer that is 3 months out of date, money isn't an issue.

you are missing my point (or i am not explaining it too good).

i say, what if smbd tested you when you where that kid you told about in the last column. and told you "you can't play with it untill you learn to play with it". see a paradox inthere somwhere?



as for you clarnp, you are going offtopic...

smbd? (Samba Deamon) Back when I was a kid Samba did not even exist.

No I am not missing the point. I have horns with two points. When I was just a calf there was no internet. I could not dammage any computer but my own. Now people have the ability to dammage thousands to possibility billions of computers with ignorance. Computers are too powerfull these days and dangerous in the wrong hands. Times have changed, computers have progressed and so must our thinking.

Come on, If a cow can use a computer correctly so should a human

I really don't mean to be rude or go off topic but I am new here and I apologize for my ignorance. I just felt it necessary to post my opinion that I agree with cow that we should license people to use the computer. I makes a valid point now that computers have become far more advanced and powerful then what they used to be and the internet has become way more powerful then anyone probably had imagined.
My apologizes and hope to keep on topic from now on.

clarnp49 - No need to apologize. You weren't rude. And you didn't go off topic. Ok, maybe just a smidge in the middle, but you came right back at the end. I understood what you were trying to say.

Keep posting. I'm sure the Cow appreciates the input.

Doesn't this issue really depend on whether you think using a computer connected to the internet is a privilege or a right?

Driving a car on public roadways is a privilege, so it's licensed. Owning a gun is a privilege, so it's licensed. (I know the US Constitution's 2nd Amendment calls it a right, put it can be revoked, so it's really a privledge. I don't know about other countries.)

Privileges are licensed, rights are not.

honcho...I'm gonna have to disagree with you...

I think it is a right (a God given right at that) to get married...yet I have to get a license...

I think it is a right to build whatever I want to on my own land...yet I have to get a license...

I think many things are my rights....yet they require licenses...

The majority of licenses out there are not there for the sake of making the world a better (or safer) place....they are there to steal my money.....

You guys are talking about Microsoft's favorite word LICENSE

Maybe a license to use the internet would be more sensible, to explore ouside of a certain place, you have to pass the test, like (sorry to bring everyine's favorite ISP into this) AOL Kids Only section. When i was first allowed to use the internet, i couldn;t use email, IM's just educational stuff, and AOL created games/content. Gradually let them out there. Since otherwise the only people they can damge is themselves

But it's not up to you to decide what is your right and what is a privlege, it's up to the society you live in. If you don't agree with where they draw the line, you should either work to change it, leave it, or just do nothing and complain about it.

Well, I partially agree with you. My Rights have been established by my creator. The government of the country I live in has specifically been instructed to uphold my Rights in the Declaration of Independence.



So, I disagree that society decides my rights. I do agree that if I feel my rights are being dismantled that I should do something about it. Specifially, the Constitution tells me that I should 'alter or abolish' the form of government that is altering my rights. I try my best to do that, I vote for those that hold the same opinions as I do. I am trying to keep this country from being a socialist state.

Great article, although, I think even if a licensing program existed, that I wouldn't license myself anyway. No one ever will. Thats just how it is, unfortunatly.

Karl
http://stonedpenguin.com/