It seems to me that there are in fact no dummies on this list. All of us are dealing with the same kinds of problems and those problems are related to how we think, and they are also related to how computers cannot think. A human being might well hear a snatch of conversation and make a logical decision based upon a small amount of information as to just what was being discussed. The decision might not be correct, but then again it might be. Human beings can think and infer and intuit. Computers cannot. Computers are extremely limited and narrow in scope when it comes to the information they can process. Human beings are quite capable of processing all kinds of information, and they are capable of piecing things together that computers could never do. Consider all of the times when someone with whom you are talking says something they didn't exactly intend to say, and consider how many times you know what the actually intended to say. Computers are incapable of such leaps of logic. We must communicate with computers in a clearly defined precise manner not because we can't think, but because computers can't think! We are limited by what the techies would call the user interface. Computers have gained incredible functionality, and they will continue to do so in the future. However, the greatest hurdle that must be overcome is in the basic way in which we communicate with computers; or, if you prefer, the user interface. I speak here of all computers, from a Braille 'n Speak to a main frame computer. Because we are forced to interact with computers on their level, I submit that computers force us to think in ways that we would never have done were it not for these remarkable machines. The great leap will come when the user interface becomes more human in its fundamental make up. And I believe that in the next ten years or so, this will be the advancement that will change the way in which we use computers. And there are profound reasons for why this must happen. Individuals who might never have suspected that they would become computer users have in fact found themselves struggling to work with them. From farmers to businessmen to clergy and just plain folks, all of us are required more and more to interact with computers. Therefore, it is the user interface which must and will change as time moves on, because until or unless it does, there will be individuals who simply cannot grasp how to get things done. However, until that day arrives, we will be forced to communicate with computers in an exact and precise manner. Unlike human beings, computers are fundamentally unforgiving.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of charles and sharon campbell Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 4:15 PM To: Braillenote List Subject: re: [Braillenote] how to find information How many dummies are really on this list? Pardon our asses, but this is nitpicking to the highest degree. When you and everyone else writes correctly, with no mistakes, then, by all means tell us about "dotcom". In closing, we'll say, "Brilliant deduction!! > ----- Original Message ----- >From: Diane Garrett <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: Braillenote List <[email protected] >Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2004 13:59:12 -0700 >Subject: re: [Braillenote] how to find information >Hi, Charles and Sharon! >When placing website addresses in these messages, please place the appropriate >punctuation where it belongs. Look at your email at the bottom of this one >and you will see that your period is missing. That is what someone else tried >to point out a couple of days ago. Just an observation that may be important >to someone who is not computer literate. >Thanks. > Diane Garrett/Leader Ruby >Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Phone: (918) 664-5731 >> ----- Original Message ----- >>From: charles and sharon campbell <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>To: Braillenote List <[email protected] >>Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2004 15:48:58 -0500 >>Subject: re: [Braillenote] how to find information >>Hi Rhonda and List, >>Rhonda, thank you for the UPS information. We followed your instructions, >>and were able to access tracking numbers through the email site. For your >>information, and for anyone on the list, if you send an email to >>totaltrackúpscom and put in your tracking number, you get an immediate >>automated response with the information. Thanks a bunch!! >>___ >>To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >>[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >>http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote >___ >To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit >http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.pulsedata.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
