One thing I'm big on is knowing about the things I interact with. I need to know how a combustion engine works, so if I needed to I could repair one. Granted I might not be as fast as a qualified mechanic, but I could jimmy something if I had to. I know some electricity basics, so I could repair a speaker if I had to, or make a radio from scrap. In Boy scout training, I've learned about how the human body works, so I would be able to help someone if they're injured, I couldn't perform surgery, but I could stabilize a person going into shock, or treat a wound, or a broken limb, or burn, or frostbite.

My point here is in a similar vein.[no pun intended] Computers and software are known in detail to a small number of people, just like there is a very small proportion of doctors. I believe that we need to increase our knowledge of how computers work as a whole. I'm not saying everyone should go and get an IT degree, just that people should know the basics, like what's inside a computer, and the function of each piece of hardware. Also, I believe that people need to learn just a smidgen about software. People need to know basics, like how to configure your operating system, how to control the programs that run when you start your computer, things of that nature. Enough so people can figure out how to personalize and streamline their interactions with technology.

If someone even has the time, they should learn about coding languages. It's a great feeling when you discover a program that changes the way you interact with your computer, like Banshee Screamer Alarm, an alarm for your computer, or AutohotKey, a program that allows you to assign keystrokes to tasks, for example, you can set "Shift+R" to open a program, or close one, or mute your sound, or insert the date and time into a document, the things that you can program your computer to do are only bound to the resources available.

What I'm trying to impress upon you is: The more you know about your computer and how it works. The Better you'll be able to get to computer to work for you, and maybe with some patience, you could make your own media player, or a Cellphone game, or a search engine*cough*Google*cough*

The lack of computer literacy is like a lack of English literacy, the more you know, the better you're able to interact with your surroundings.

Always Learning
-Aaron