Computer License

2007-06-25 17:18:01

#1

Marconius: One-eyed Wonder Mod; +368|7138|San Francisco

Another discussion topic of a less political nature...

Computing should require licenses. People planning to buy or use a computer should have to undergo a training program and written test, much akin to getting a driver's license, in order to receive certification that they are indeed allowed to use a computer. Training would start with rudimentary usage and terminology, then build up to basic computing, then to internet etiquette and usage (email, website usage, research, etc.). People without licenses would not be allowed to use computers, or be considered for jobs that require computing.

A corollary to this would be a license for internet use; remove the computing aspect or assume that the user already knows that much, but train people in the terminology of the Internet, show them how it actually works, and train them in the rudimentary facts of the internet in order to reduce the amount of people that enjoy opening up such email attachments as "BRITNEYSPEARS_NAKED.jpg"

My argument for this all would be that eventually, in a perfect system, the average intelligence level of the computer user would be higher, giving everyone an equal base to start specializing from, plus reducing the amount of tech support needed from various industries.

Do you agree or disagree with the basic premise here? Your thoughts?

2007-06-25 17:20:38

#2

Ty: Mass Media Casualty; +2,398|7219|Noizyland

Marco! Haven't seen you for a while!

In my opinion everything needs a licence. However I hate bureaucracy, and having a lot of licences would take a lot of time to get them. Also consider that idiots will always find a way to be idiots, it's what they're good at, so I don't really think it would accomplish much.

I say take the warning labels off everything and let the problem solve itself.

[Blinking eyes thing]
Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/tzyon

2007-06-25 17:21:17

#3

IG-Calibre: comhalta; +226|7187|Tír Eoghan, Tuaisceart Éireann

It's called the ECDL here, European Computer Drivers Licence. The government payed for whoever wanted to complete the course, Damn socialists!

http://www.ecdl.com/publisher/index.jsp

2007-06-25 17:21:21

#4

r2zoo: Knowledge is power, guard it well; +126|7040|Michigan, USA

Disagree, would force companies into doing massive amounts of uneeded training raises prices on everything.

Sure most people arent to bright when it comes to computers, but some people(my mom for instance) grew up in a time before computers, not her fault she doesnt know how to do everything on them.

2007-06-25 17:23:03

#5

-=CB=-krazykarl: not always PWD, but usually.; +95|6980|Carlsbad, CA, USA

yes, but first, having children should require a license, one is needed for almost everything else, but any dumb couple of almost any age, race, religion, or intelligence can reproduce, and it has been proven that the smart people choose not to. so we are breeding our nation stupid, therefore requiring a license for a computer.

2007-06-25 17:27:14

#6

usmarine: Banned; +2,785|7206

Ty wrote:
In my opinion everything needs a licence. However I hate bureaucracy

erm..... lol

2007-06-25 17:27:52

#7

Ryan: Member; +1,230|7287|Alberta, Canada

Or just read Computers for Dummies

2007-06-25 17:28:38

#8

Marconius: One-eyed Wonder Mod; +368|7138|San Francisco

It wouldn't be private training from businesses, with exception of training that's already in place for such things (sponsored Flame training, etc.), but more like what you do when you need to go in for your driver's exam. Public computer training, subsidized by the government.

2007-06-25 17:31:02

#9

TheEternalPessimist: Wibble; +412|7064|Mhz

I'm against it, without retards to break stuff through sheer stupidity I'd be out of a job lol.

2007-06-25 17:32:32

#10

Turquoise: O Canada; +1,596|6849|North Carolina

Marconius wrote:
Another discussion topic of a less political nature...

Computing should require licenses. People planning to buy or use a computer should have to undergo a training program and written test, much akin to getting a driver's license, in order to receive certification that they are indeed allowed to use a computer. Training would start with rudimentary usage and terminology, then build up to basic computing, then to internet etiquette and usage (email, website usage, research, etc.). People without licenses would not be allowed to use computers, or be considered for jobs that require computing.

A corollary to this would be a license for internet use; remove the computing aspect or assume that the user already knows that much, but train people in the terminology of the Internet, show them how it actually works, and train them in the rudimentary facts of the internet in order to reduce the amount of people that enjoy opening up such email attachments as "BRITNEYSPEARS_NAKED.jpg"

My argument for this all would be that eventually, in a perfect system, the average intelligence level of the computer user would be higher, giving everyone an equal base to start specializing from, plus reducing the amount of tech support needed from various industries.

Do you agree or disagree with the basic premise here? Your thoughts?

Vehemently disagree...

There's still a Libertarian streak to me that despises any unnecessary government intervention. This is just a very bad idea in my opinion.

2007-06-25 18:55:30

#11

Liberal-Sl@yer: Certified BF2S Asshole; +131|6900|The edge of sanity

Ima have to disagree because that prohibits on our rights. Owning computers isnt regulated by the goverment like driving is because misusing a computer wont cause people to die (unless the blow up the computer). I hate computer idiots as much as the next guy but the goverment cant fix everythign for us. What needs to be done is a bigger drive of what is on late night television on how to learn to use a computer with the first disc free, except all the disc are free at the local stores. The only problem with that is, is that the tech support industry will take a plumet which, even thought most tech support is automated or in India, hurt the american economy and any economy relaient on those jobs. All in All this would hurt a specific sector of the free market to work succesfully.

2007-06-25 18:57:17

#12

S.Lythberg: Mastermind; +429|6891|Chicago, IL

-=CB=-krazykarl wrote:
yes, but first, having children should require a license, one is needed for almost everything else, but any dumb couple of almost any age, race, religion, or intelligence can reproduce, and it has been proven that the smart people choose not to. so we are breeding our nation stupid, therefore requiring a license for a computer.

Now theres a plan, and a desperately needed one in my city...

2007-06-25 18:58:52

#13

jsnipy: ...; +3,277|6967|...

Sounds like someone has a case of the Mundayz

2007-06-25 19:10:27

#14

Pug: UR father's brother's nephew's former roommate; +652|6986|Texas - Bigger than France

Disagree on the grounds of determining who sets the "standards" since they could never be universal. But admire the heart.

2007-06-25 19:13:01

#15

GunSlinger OIF II: Banned.; +1,860|7088

why? you aint gonna kill a school bus full of children by drinking and typing. its kind of already like that now in regards to employment, sort of.

Last edited by GunSlinger OIF II (2007-06-25 19:13:46)

2007-06-25 19:14:23

#16

elstonieo: Oil 4 Euros not $$$; +20|6782|EsSeX

TheEternalPessimist wrote:
I'm against it, without retards to break stuff through sheer stupidity I'd be out of a job lol.

QFT

2007-06-25 19:16:48

#17

GunSlinger OIF II: Banned.; +1,860|7088

why dont we have a license for anyone who wants to babble on about their political ideologies? you have to pass some kind of intelligence test or experienced the real world. in order to have the right to call yourself whatever.

2007-06-25 19:20:04

#18

Yaocelotl: :D; +221|7094|Keyboard

TheEternalPessimist wrote:
I'm against it, without retards to break stuff through sheer stupidity I'd be out of a job lol.

Yes, stupid people are the gold mine for service desks/call centers.

2007-06-25 19:26:49

#19

iamangry: Member; +59|7089|The United States of America

jsnipy wrote:
Sounds like someone has a case of the Mundayz

I'm gonna use my red stapler to rip your throat out.

2007-06-25 20:02:36

#20

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,072|7216|PNW

Marconius wrote:
Another discussion topic of a less political nature...

Computing should require licenses. People planning to buy or use a computer should have to undergo a training program and written test, much akin to getting a driver's license, in order to receive certification that they are indeed allowed to use a computer. Training would start with rudimentary usage and terminology, then build up to basic computing, then to internet etiquette and usage (email, website usage, research, etc.). People without licenses would not be allowed to use computers, or be considered for jobs that require computing.

A corollary to this would be a license for internet use; remove the computing aspect or assume that the user already knows that much, but train people in the terminology of the Internet, show them how it actually works, and train them in the rudimentary facts of the internet in order to reduce the amount of people that enjoy opening up such email attachments as "BRITNEYSPEARS_NAKED.jpg"

6) My argument for this all would be that eventually, in a perfect system, the average intelligence level of the computer user would be higher, giving everyone an equal base to start specializing from, plus reducing the amount of tech support needed from various industries.

Do you agree or disagree with the basic premise here? Your thoughts?

I agree that computing should be one of the prerequisites for graduation (along with personal finance), with subjects including (but not limited to) malware removal, which would be a tremendous help to everyone else. But I disagree that it should be a licensed affair on the basis of your excessive traffic argument for these reasons:

1) For the most part, spam mail is sent by individuals and even corporations who know perhaps too much about systems.
2) When your personal computer crashes, it's not going to result in multiple fatalities.
3) Computers are present in so many everyday objects that license enforcement would be a farce. You might as well require everyone to have a computing license alongside their social security number, and forced training would not be popular among the stubbornly technophobic.
4) Etiquette is not restricted to online communications, and a law forcing people to be polite over the line would be considered discrimination against medium.
5) Forcing everyone to learn about computers before using them would result in a massive loss of jobs in tech-support areas. It would be like asking a kitchen shop/repair depot to train buyers in maintenance every time a refrigerator is sold.
6) Sure, and in a perfect system, everybody would know the the basics about everything else.

Last edited by unnamednewbie13 (2007-06-25 20:05:13)

2007-06-25 23:22:48

#21

Marconius: One-eyed Wonder Mod; +368|7138|San Francisco

Actually, while I was talking about this with my coworkers today, the subject of a children license did come up. I actually kind of like the idea of a License to have Children...it certainly would save a lot of welfare, and could serve to better the quality of life in the society by not allowing stupid people to breed.

Sounds like someone has a case of the Mundayz

Oh hell no man...you'd get the shit beat outta you if you said that around here... (I love that movie)

2007-06-26 01:00:28

#22

blisteringsilence: I'd rather hunt with Cheney than ride with Kennedy; +83|7146|Little Rock, Arkansas

Marconius wrote:
Another discussion topic of a less political nature...

Computing should require licenses. People planning to buy or use a computer should have to undergo a training program and written test, much akin to getting a driver's license, in order to receive certification that they are indeed allowed to use a computer. Training would start with rudimentary usage and terminology, then build up to basic computing, then to internet etiquette and usage (email, website usage, research, etc.). People without licenses would not be allowed to use computers, or be considered for jobs that require computing.

A corollary to this would be a license for internet use; remove the computing aspect or assume that the user already knows that much, but train people in the terminology of the Internet, show them how it actually works, and train them in the rudimentary facts of the internet in order to reduce the amount of people that enjoy opening up such email attachments as "BRITNEYSPEARS_NAKED.jpg"

My argument for this all would be that eventually, in a perfect system, the average intelligence level of the computer user would be higher, giving everyone an equal base to start specializing from, plus reducing the amount of tech support needed from various industries.

Do you agree or disagree with the basic premise here? Your thoughts?

Disagree. I make too much money on the side from stupid people. Today, I got $300 for restoring the files on a computer, after a lady accidentally (and I still haven't figured out how) managed to enable her HP's restore-from-restore-partition-with-format function. These folks are my buying new toys money.

2007-06-26 01:02:58

#23

ATG: Banned; +5,233|6973|Global Command

I find it odd that a admitted semi- militant liberal would be advocating more government control of our lives, as they are usually the ones crying about " big brother " and embracing conspiracy theories.
No wait, I don't find that odd, as ultimately liberals are the ones whos ideas result in a bigger government, more intrusive and interfering in our lives.

Licensing internet usage, pfft.
From my cold dead hands.

2007-06-26 01:07:14

#24

Spark: liquid fluoride thorium reactor; +874|7119|Canberra, AUS

ATG wrote:
I find it odd that a admitted semi- militant liberal would be advocating more government control of our lives, as they are usually the ones crying about " big brother " and embracing conspiracy theories.
No wait, I don't find that odd, as ultimately liberals are the ones whos ideas result in a bigger government, more intrusive and interfering in our lives.

Licensing internet usage, pfft.
From my cold dead hands.

Well...

You may think differently once you go into the BF2 section of the forums for a while.

The paradox is only a conflict between reality and your feeling what reality ought to be.
^{~ Richard Feynman}

2007-06-26 01:11:03

#25

blisteringsilence: I'd rather hunt with Cheney than ride with Kennedy; +83|7146|Little Rock, Arkansas

Spark wrote:
ATG wrote:
I find it odd that a admitted semi- militant liberal would be advocating more government control of our lives, as they are usually the ones crying about " big brother " and embracing conspiracy theories.
No wait, I don't find that odd, as ultimately liberals are the ones whos ideas result in a bigger government, more intrusive and interfering in our lives.

Licensing internet usage, pfft.
From my cold dead hands.
Well...

You may think differently once you go into the BF2 section of the forums for a while.

I don't need anymore stress in my life, thanks. Rather than a license, we should just get to shoot people. It'd be more fun, and way better on my blood pressure.

BF2S Forums Computer License

Ty wrote:

Marconius wrote:

-=CB=-krazykarl wrote:

TheEternalPessimist wrote:

TheEternalPessimist wrote:

jsnipy wrote:

Marconius wrote:

Marconius wrote:

ATG wrote:

Spark wrote:

ATG wrote:

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