Number 202 - March 2000

"Experience is a Great Teacher"
by Bob Thomson, Tacoma Open Group for Microcomputers
We've all heard those hackneyed phrases and witticisms:     Mark Twain has been "quoted" as saying something like: "When I was in my teens I thought my father was the stupidest man who ever lived. When I reached my twenties I was surprised to discover how much the old man had learned in the last ten years."     Long time TOG member, the late Jim Cooke said: "When I first attended a TOG computer club meeting and read the newsletter, I didn't understand ten percent if what was said. When I went back and re-read the newsletter a year later, I was surprised to discover that I understood most of it."     Consider also: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." or "You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink."     Yes you can--if you can inspire in the animal a desire to learn and a willingness to try new things. That is what a computer user group is all about, inspiration and innovation. But "It takes two to tango!" One has to be willing to teach and one willing to learn. You are halfway there by joining a user group, or even picking up and reading the newsletter. You've shown an interest in learning something new.     I should amend that statement above. Not just one but both have to be willing to teach and both have to be willing to learn! That's more like it--closer to the truth!	More than once I have been asked a question, or asked to explain something, and, in responding, have discovered something about the subject that I didn't realize until I tried to make sense of it. Often we accept something as true, just because someone we admire has said it is true. It may be true, but we may not know why until we look into it further.     Recently, Number 3 son mentioned that he sometimes takes a subject brought up at a user group meeting, perhaps one of the software programs offered, or an article in the newsletter, and pursues it further, on his own, to learn more about it. This is a great way for him to learn, especially since HE thought of it. This process is much easier now with all the resources available on the Internet. Try it, you'll like it.     Remember the story of the monarch who wanted to buy an education for his son, the prince, from the kingdom's wise man? He was told that there is "No Royal Road to Learning". There isn't one here either. You learn the ins and outs of computing by doing it yourself--hands on.     A good teacher has no pride of authorship. She or he points you toward the goal but hopes that you will discover the rest of path yourself. It then becomes your personal discovery and one that you will pursue for its own sake and your own satisfaction. But it does take some time and effort to get there. Have patience. Perhaps you are next year's guru!
Number 202 - March 2000