Why do people think that when you say you are into computers and such, that they think that you are a programmer?

[NonoZomb1e]

So I have been curious about this for the longest time. Why do people think that when you say you are into computers that, the person thinks that you know how to program??

For example, I was in English class, and this was last semester, and I was talking about the book The Art of Deception by Kevin Mitnick, then my teacher asked, "Do you know how to code?" and I had to say no I don't. Does anyone have a, per say answer to this question?

[TrainFan475]

This happens to me also.

[NonoZomb1e]

Yeah it can get annoying, realling the only sort of "programming" which I wouldn't even consider this programming, would be a little bit of the linux terminal and the Command Prompt, in Windows. As I am 15 and I plan on working as a network systems engineer when I get done with school, and either go to college or study and get my certifications.

 

[Lurick]

Because that's what most people associate with people who are good with computers. It's either "Are you a programmer?" or "Are you a hacker" or something along those lines. The general populace doesn't know much but don't take it badly, just inform them that you're not a programmer and there are many other things you can do and focus on with a computer.

[Lurick]

2 minutes ago, NonoZomb1e said:

Yeah it can get annoying, realling the only sort of "programming" which I wouldn't even consider this programming, would be a little bit of the linux terminal and the Command Prompt, in Windows. As I am 15 and I plan on working as a network systems engineer when I get done with school, and either go to college or study and get my certifications.

 

Is starting to require some knowledge of programming and it's better to know the concepts now and how to apply that to languages like Python than to get blindsided once you're out there. Unless you want to start as a lab grunt and have to very slowly work your way up, I would suggest working on your BS in something and then looking for coop or intern programs along the way to give you people to network with and experience so you can stand tall above the sea of other network engineers who just took courses and nothing more, or worse yet got a bunch of certs and can't apply that to the real world.

[Princess Luna]

Spoiler

I am into computers.

 

 

[John_Trollinski]

I get it all the time. Cause I fix computers and help people at my school they think I know programming. I don't I just know enough about computers to take care of them.

[NineEyeRon]

Even VBA in Excel and Access counts as programming right? Cos I'm 1337 if so!

 

Its good to get a handle on how HTML works and VBA is super useful.

 

I personally have never had it assumed in the 17 years since I got my first PC. Maybe its a generational thing that people my age are generally more aware of than our parents and people who are now parents of teenages (therefore probably 5+ years older than me).

 

Like most people my age we first learnt to code to make super cool Myspace pages!

[straight_stewie]

Think about the following greeting:

Quote

Hi! My name is <name> and I like computers!

Now consider that the person that is being greeted likely knows very little about how wide a field "computers" actually is.

Of course, the end result is that they assume that you know about the most visible technical aspect of computers, which is of course whatever is being talked about the most at that time. Throughout most of the history of computers, and still at this time, the most visible aspect of the field of "computers" is programming.

 

If the person doing the greeting comes off as even marginally "nerdy", which is practically a given considering that they just introduced themselves as "being into computers", then the end result is all but predetermined.

[mr moose]

Can't say it's ever happened to me, however it does make sense because nearly everyone can use a computer, therefore the next logical step is that if you can do more than just use them then you must be able to do more with software.  Remember to most people you buy a PC, you don't build it from parts.  

[Xiee]

It's a different case for me. A while back, my mom has been telling the neighbors that I'm an "IT Specialist". (For the record I've got a bachelors degree in Information Technology). So everyone has been asking me if I could upgrade their computers for free or if I can make a free website for them. I even got a weird request to hack the local community ATM.

[SkilledRebuilds]

6 minutes ago, Xiee said:

It's a different case for me. A while back, my mom has been telling the neighbors that I'm an "IT Specialist". (For the record I've got a bachelors degree in Information Technology). So everyone has been asking me if I could upgrade their computers for free or if I can make a free website for them. I even got a weird request to hack the local community ATM.

I ask my mechanic for free shit all the time.

Doesn't take.

I also don't help those that expect something for nothing. (after they have realized the size/scope of said solution)

[TetraSky]

Instead of saying "I'm into computers", I just say "I'm into tech, learning more about it everyday as a hobby is what I find enjoyable"

 

5 minutes ago, Xiee said:

So everyone has been asking me if I could upgrade their computers for free or if I can make a free website for them. I even got a weird request to hack the local community ATM.

Report whoever is asking you to "hack" the ATM.

Also, I see you've met the choosing beggars. There's a lot of them in this field... Pretends to be friends or family, only to demand you work for them free of charge... Because you buy food with their crappy exposure.

[Xiee]

28 minutes ago, TetraSky said:

Report whoever is asking you to "hack" the ATM.

Also, I see you've met the choosing beggars. There's a lot of them in this field... Pretends to be friends or family, only to demand you work for them free of charge... Because you buy food with their crappy exposure.

 

29 minutes ago, SkilledRebuilds said:

I also don't help those that expect something for nothing. (after they have realized the size/scope of said solution)

For family, I'll often work for free unless something broken needs to be changed and I ask them to cough up money. For friends, I often give them "free consulting" on what they need to do. I don't really touch their broken laptops unless it just needs a simple Windows reinstall.

[jones177]

5 hours ago, NonoZomb1e said:

Why do people think that when you say you are into computers and such, that they think that you are a programmer?

In the 80s it was true.

When home computers first came out they came with programing languages. So to use them you had to learn how to program them. Just about everybody I knew took computer programming classes back then. 

 

Hacking and making viruses was something programers did for fun to other programers. They were pranks.  At some point people with ill intent learned to program and the world changed. 

 

[TetraSky]

50 minutes ago, Xiee said:

unless it just needs a simple Windows reinstall.

I'm gonna be preaching for a bit here but...

For that simple windows reinstall, you know they'd be charged like 100$(CAD, dunno about USD) at Best Buy, right?

It might not be much off you, but you're still putting your time out there for them, since they can't be arsed to do that "simple windows reinstall" themselves.

Because you don't charge them, they might assume no one would charge to do so and may screw over the next guy they ask to fix their shit by refusing to pay after he's done the work.

 

There are no friends or family in business, that's basically the golden rule to live by. Always charge something, anything (beer and pizza is an acceptable form of currency, too) if you're doing anything that involve your time to do a chore/job that someone else doesn't want to do/know how to do. Unless you're literally doing charity work.

[Xiee]

29 minutes ago, TetraSky said:

I'm gonna be preaching for a bit here but...

For that simple windows reinstall, you know they'd be charged like 100$(CAD, dunno about USD) at Best Buy, right?

It might not be much off you, but you're still putting your time out there for them, since they can't be arsed to do that "simple windows reinstall" themselves.

Because you don't charge them, they might assume no one would charge to do so and may screw over the next guy they ask to fix their shit by refusing to pay after he's done the work.

 

There are no friends or family in business, that's basically the golden rule to live by. Always charge something, anything (beer and pizza is an acceptable form of currency, too) if you're doing anything that involve your time to do a chore/job that someone else doesn't want to do/know how to do. Unless you're literally doing charity work.

Oh they perfectly know I'm doing them a favor. I tell them this will cost them if they go to a tech in computer stores, so they're grateful for that.

I do have different principles about helping family and friends, but I've been taught as a kid to help out those who don't have the wisdom to do things on their own. I guess it's something my mom just instilled in me as a kid. But I do know where to draw the line. Sometimes I ask friends to gift me a game on Steam for the work I've done or treat me out to a meal or a free movie ticket.

 

[Marbo]

12 hours ago, NonoZomb1e said:

 

For example, I was in English class, and this was last semester, and I was talking about the book The Art of Deception by Kevin Mitnick, then my teacher asked, "Do you know how to code?" 

I haven't read that book, but have read ghost in the wires. If it is similar then I can see why your teacher would ask. I think it's a valid question, and doesn't make the assumption that you do know how to code. 

 

Most of my friends know I'm in to computers, but I don't think many of them have even given a thought to the fact that there are lines of code behind the programs and apps they use. 

[RejZoR]

It's a general perception from movies. Coz everyone there, if they are geeks, they are "hackers" and they know how to code a virus from scratch in 2 minutes and break into any system by just smashing keyboard like mad for 30 seconds while colorful windows are flashing on the screen and green The Matrix code is flowing through. Reality is, there are often people who can code mad programs but don't have a fucking clue how to assemble a computer and how to debug a hardware issue. Just like a car mechanic may know every single thing about cars but doesn't know how to fix a laundry machine. Sure, basics interleave as far as mechanical engineering goes, but the devil is in the details. It's same with computers. I can do a lot of things with hardware and software, I also do scripts on occasions and can do things that are "haxor" level for casuals, but I can't actually code in I don't know JavaScript, Python, C++ or endless other languages. I might venture there for a temporal solution for something and lumbering around with premade snippets of code and fill in the gaps as needed, but that's about it.

[zogthegreat]

(chuckle) My son is a developer for AI and Big Data for a large Canadian company. He has degrees in electrical engineering and computer engineering.

 

And he still has people asking him to fix their Windows machines.

 

For the record, he runs Linux and despises Windows with a passion that borders on psychosis!

[Commodus]

This is a reminder that most people aren't technically inclined -- they may know how to use common features on their phone, but they really don't care about the minutiae of tech on a day to day basis.  And outside of security, they shouldn't. I'd much rather my doctor focus on how to treat me than on how to troubleshoot Windows.

 

On that note: this is why I'm amused whenever a techie makes a prediction of how product X or Y will fare based on the assumption that everyone else on the planet thinks like them.  This phone will fail because it doesn't have a microSD slot/headphone jack/rootable firmware!  Every computer that doesn't have a fast gaming GPU is crap!  You get the idea. But the truth is that normal people don't give a rat's ass about those issues.  They just want a phone that runs well, lasts a long time on battery and takes quality photos.  They just want a computer that's fast enough to play Netflix while they're checking Facebook, and maybe Fortnite if the kids bug them enough.  In other words, they're more focused on living their lives than obsessing about tech.

 

It's fine to be an enthusiast who knows more and expects more, of course.  I just think it's important to accept that you're part of a small group instead of a tastemaker.