Jenny Townes

Week 15 Reading Notes

Overall, I appreciate this class. Though some assignments were harder than expected, and I didn't do as well as I thought I would, I do feel I've learned a lot.
I never considered myself a computer geek--the only computer game I ever played was Reader Rabbit and I was in high school before I got my first e-mail address--but I've been computer literate since my dad brought home a little green screen in 1989. My dad taught me to use WordStar, the early versions of Photoshop, and how to use a floppy disk. When my family bought its first PC, I was the one to show my mother how to use it, and I was the one who first explained the internet to my parents.
Despite being comfortable with computers, I'm still at their mercy when it comes to software glitches and hardware problems. Luckily I've always had friends to call for help, but having to rely on someone else to fix my machine is irritating.
This class gave me the basics of how to help myself. It answered many, many questions, such as, "How does the internet work? What are the components that make a computer? What is UNIX? How do you make a website? How are all those little internet quizzes made?" etc. etc. I'm finally beginning to understand what people are talking about when they try and explain to me how to fix my computer. The skills I'm taking away from this class will, at the very least, help me wedge open the door to complete computer literacy.
I've entered the MSLS program with the intent to become an archivist. The potential digitization offers to the world's archives is fascinating and I've always been eager to work with computers and learn new ways to organize and preserve information. The leaps we've made towards a completely digital society are incredible, and yet the digital divide is humbling. I hope that in the future I will be proficient enough with computers to help bridge that divide and make digital libraries more friendly and accessible.