Talk:Introduction to Computers

Although most of the subpages are marked as 100% complete, I am not completely sure it is true. Even if in wikis the "complete" word is very relative, more should be done before it is marked with "100%". Things I noticed: WP links written as external links, external links without description, missing images, too many subheadings in some cases. I feel also that more can be written for a 100% ready topic - I am not an IT expert however. I will probably also dig through this more in detail, when my time allows... --Gbaor 06:13, 14 August 2008 (UTC)

Regarding the "Things To Do" section: "Many of the pages need breaking up into smaller subpages. This has already been done with the introduction." I find that the break-ups are a lot harder to navigate & make sense of -- the longer pages seem easier to deal with, so I disagree with that "todo" item. Since nothing's happened here in the last year, perhaps we should re-compile the introductory section so it matches the rest of the resource.

Eyespot Podcasts

Many of the original eyespot podcasts (perhaps all of them) are now dead links. They should be removed or replaced with alternatives. Lysander89 03:19, 26 October 2009 (UTC)

Y Done. Finally. Omphalographer (discuss • contribs) 18:43, 24 April 2023 (UTC)

Rethinking the Syllabus

The more I attempt to complete what was left behind by Areill and his students the more I feel that the project is broken is some serious way. I believe this is to do with the lack of consistency between subtopics and a badly designed syllabus. We need to come up with a better syllabus than the one currently provided here. Many of the topic subpages are not needed in my opinion, and should be cut. Ideally this page should attempt to limit itself to covering:

• The basic hardware of a computer
  • What are the components inside a computer case?
  • What are the peripherals attached to a computer?
• The average software found on a computer
  • What is the BIOS?
  • What is the Operating System?
  • What are desktop applications?
• Networks
  • What is a network? How does your computer interact with other computers around it?
  • The internet

By keeping the syllabus short and to the point, we can avoid putting casual learners off, while allowing more keen learners to consider looking into the Introduction to Computer Science course.

I would gladly like to hear some comments regarding this proposal.

Lysander89 04:16, 16 November 2009 (UTC)

looks are everything

this is likely the first course the a prospective compsci student is going to take. it should be very understandable, look good, and make a student say "okay this isnt something i can't learn" (in comparison to something like http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Computer_Architecture_Lab . talk about trial by fire; thats not by any means an introduction to processor architecture.) - (02:03, 11 August 2011‎ by Joshua.thomas.bird)

Unofficial Degree

I added a header and category on this page for thethe Unofficial Computer Science Degree. -- Azotochtli (talk) 19:07, 11 August 2012 (UTC)

k whats the need of this? - (07:33, 18 June 2014‎ by 117.208.239.161)

There was no need. It's been removed. There is no Unofficial Computer Science Degree, as Wikiverisity is not a degree (or even unofficial degree) granting institution. -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 13:01, 18 June 2014 (UTC)

A new beginning ...

When I first joined Wikiversity, it was an interesting place. I wasn't sure how everything fit together, but thought it had great potential. Someone, or a group, had tried to organize things, but as most with most things in life, things tend naturally to chaos. Others saw Wikiversity as a place to repackage textbooks.

I see it as a learning journey. Some people learn by reading. Some people learn by class or lectures. Others learn best by doing. I think Wikiversity should be all of these things.

You should begin at the beginning, and I echo previous commenters ... this should be the first exposure someone who is doing something with computers is exposed to. I'm going to propose things should be done differently, more clearly, and with more options for learners. I intend to "BE BOLD", to move quickly (once I get started), and to accept, incorporate, and solicit feedback. Buckle up kids, this could be a bumpy ride! ;) Historybuff (discuss • contribs) 00:11, 6 December 2015 (UTC)

Welcome back! I agree that some learn best by reading, some by watching, and some (or even most) by doing. Wikiversity can and should be all of these things. See IT Fundamentals for a course on similar content that tries to include / support a variety of learning styles. I look forward to your renewed participation. -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 01:49, 6 December 2015 (UTC)

Chapter 2

A potential Chapter 2 was added that included:

1. Codes
2. Convert theory into practice issues
3. Chemical elements and Electrical Current

Questions have been raised about the quality of Chemical elements and Electrical Current at [1] and [2]. I also question the usefulness of Codes, which seems to duplicate the content in the existing lessons. I have removed the Chapter 2 links from the course, pending further discussion on what content should be included in an introductory course, vs. what might be more appropriate as See Also links or a follow-on course.

Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 13:44, 18 March 2016 (UTC)

Old examples

It's a nice, easy course but why most of photos shows old or even archaical computers? I think there should appear some nowaydays (not necessarily the most modern!) examples. Especially everybody can take some photos of own computer and its components during cleaning it up. What do you think? SilesiaGirl (discuss • contribs) 21:32, 23 June 2018 (UTC)

@SilesiaGirl: Great idea! Be bold! You should be able to find free images to use at Commons:. -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 23:39, 23 June 2018 (UTC)

I'll do it. Maybe I'll do some photos, too. By the way I'm thinking about edition a chapter "Types of computers". According the definition of computer, calculators, "traditional" mobile phones, controllers in household appliances etc. are computers, too. Should it be mentioned? SilesiaGirl (discuss • contribs) 09:20, 24 June 2018 (UTC)

@SilesiaGirl: When in doubt, I always check Wikipedia for what should be included. It's a much larger community, and by definition has public support for the ideas shared. See Wikipedia:Classes of computers for ideas. -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 13:03, 24 June 2018 (UTC)

With due respect, teachers used to warn me agains treating Wikipedia as a concludive source. When I was visiting a Museum of Computers and IT ,a guide told us, that computer is an electronic device, which runs calculation and/or controls oder device(s). I asked him if a simple calculator is a computer and he confirmed. Is it possiple, that European definition and/or its interpretation is wider than American one? SilesiaGirl (discuss • contribs) 20:19, 24 June 2018 (UTC)

@SilesiaGirl: Wikipedia is the first place many people look to learn or validate information, and this is supported by Google displaying Wikipedia ledes as the definition in response to many searches. If Wikipedia is incorrect or lacking, it should be updated by correcting the information and citing relevant sources. According to Wikipedia:Computer, yes, calculators are computers. Wikipedia and Wikiversity are English resources, not American resources. They may reflect an English world view, and they could note geographic differences, but they shouldn't exclude or favor one area over another. -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 23:01, 24 June 2018 (UTC)

Existing articles not present at the main page

There are a lot of articles in "Introduction to Computers" but are otherwise not present at the main page, why is that? Nebenmond (discuss • contribs) 12:51, 28 December 2018 (UTC)

@Nebenmond: See [3]. In 2011, a user made changes in the main page design. Feel free to revise this and restore links to whatever you find useful. Be bold! -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 22:35, 28 December 2018 (UTC)

Getting Started

Where can i start doing the course

Neo kgamelo Mwaigwitya (discuss • contribs) 13:14, 23 June 2019 (UTC)

@Neo kgamelo Mwaigwitya: Start wherever you like. Also see Computer Skills and IT Fundamentals for related content with hands-on activities. -- Dave Braunschweig (discuss • contribs) 18:34, 23 June 2019 (UTC)