Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!iuvax!rutgers!gauss.rutgers.edu!math.rutgers.edu!bumby From: bumby@math.rutgers.edu (Richard Bumby) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Looking for very elementary MS-DOS text Message-ID: Date: 14 Apr 89 23:36:29 GMT References: <9855@burdvax.PRC.Unisys.COM> <7924@pucc.Princeton.EDU> Distribution: usa Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Lines: 32 Cc: bumby In article <7924@pucc.Princeton.EDU> BVAUGHAN@pucc.Princeton.EDU (Barbara Vaughan) writes: > In article <9855@burdvax.PRC.Unisys.COM>, ahr@bigburd.PRC.Unisys.COM > (Allan Rabenau) writes: > > >I will be teaching an elementary PC class to some really > >computer-illiterate persons (firefighters) and I require an > >easy-to-read introduction text to use. I plan the course to start > >'way down there with bits & bytes, through MS-DOS, right up to > >elementary spreadsheets ... > . . .. . . 2) DON'T start with bits > and bytes or with RAM and ROM or Boolean algebra or anything > similar. Start off with one simple operating system (MSDOS will do) > and show them how to [do many things]. . . HEAR, HEAR!!! As a mathematician and user of a variety of computers who just recently entered the world of DOS, I was shocked to find how many books that claimed to tell people about their computer, its DOS, or some application program feel an obligation to begin with a lot of easy mathematics cloaked in jargon -- and then never get around to giving simple examples. The syntax of the commands is confusing to everyone when first encountered, but once you see how it works, its easy. If you can afford the luxury of a teacher, you might not need many examples in the book -- but I find that I have to make up a few things that don't work before I catch on to the underlying logic of a complicated program (application or operating system). -- --R. T. Bumby ** Math ** Rutgers ** New Brunswick ** (in one form or another for all kinds of mail) [bumby@math.rutgers.edu]