Can I ask a dumb question?

"The only dumb question is the one you don't ask."

That's my pat answer when approached with the question...and I hear that question a lot. I believe that by not asking questions you eventually end up costing yourself time, money, and/or knowledge.

When it comes to computers, it behooves you to ask as many questions as possible so that you can learn. Too often, I hear this phrase; "I don't take your classes because I need to learn more first."

Re-read that last sentence. If that phrase makes sense to you, re-read it again! If it still makes sense to you, don't come to my classes.

Also learn to ask questions from people who provide intelligent, understandable answers. Big box store sales/repair people are not the appropriate people to be asking technical questions. Turnover in those positions is incredibly high and practical, knowledgeable advice is incredibly low. Plus, their desire to sell you a product and over sell you service diminishes their ability to give useful advice.

By pointing out these two examples, I'm trying to get you to understand that computer skills, like any other skills, don't just happen. They are attained through study, practice, and emulation.

A slip of paper pinned to my office bulletin board says it best: "When smart people don't know something, they ask other smart people for help and advice. That's how smart people get smart."

• ‹ previous
• 211 of 1410
• next ›