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Computer College class?
Sevensodd
Member Posts: 322
Which classes do I need to take in college to pwn/fix people computers?
Yes, we have all had that "I want to punch your ass out IRL", or " You can't ban/kick me" moments. What should I be going for in college to learn more??
Comments
try program class or IT classes.
Network Administration
Computer Science
Computer Engineering
I would suggest getting a Master's Degree in Computer Science with a focus on Encryption. Even then, you will have to do alot of research on your own. No "class" is going to teach you how to do this, it takes alot of independant research. Research is bolded for a reason, because it differs from the word "study". I fully mean "research" as genetic scientist would do research.
Definition:
Research can be defined as the search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, with an open mind, to establish novel facts, usually using a scientific method. The primary purpose for applied research (as opposed to basic research) is discovering, interpreting, and the development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge on a wide variety of scientific matters of our world and the universe.
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You can take any computer class, be it information technology, computer science or even network admin. All the courses teaches its student hardware and software skills because basically fixing computers is just a minor skill and everyone enrolled in a computer class must know this basic stuff. I suggest you take up networking classes becuase not only you can fix and set up computers but you can make your own internet cafe using the networking stuff that you will learn in this class.
Right now, I'm taking up networking admin, we took up techical things duringour first year. Right now, you have to choose if you want to be in the hardware part or the software part of the computer. If you think you want learn how to create your own program or be a analyst you can take up computer science which focuses more in the software side of the computer. But if you want to deepen your knowledge as far as technical skills are concerned then you can take up computer eng. I took up network admin because I want to try different certification exams that can make my chances higher in landing for a better job in the future.
Network Admin? So what is its difference from a database admin? Actually, I;m thinkinkg of taking up computer studies in college but still i havent decided on what to take coz i know computer has a lot of different areas, you can be an expert on one part of the whole computer studies thing. My friend told me to take up computer courses and appl for a database admin in the future, but i don't have any idea what does this database admin means and what he does in the coporate world. Any help guys?
Database admins uses database mangement softwares and determines ways to store, organize and present data. they basically understands user needs and changes the old database to a new database, they also test modifies the system when needed to maintain the smooth flow of operation in the system. This people ensures the performance of the system, understands the platform on which the database runs and adds more users to the system.
try to choose computer engineering. because computer is indemand.. ^_^
If you're looking for specific classes just for the purpose of computer repair then you want all of the OS classes(Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Sun, etc...), Networking and Hardware. All the rest have more to do with the programming and engineering side of things.
Edit: Being in the computer repair business myself I can tell you that 90% of common issues people have with their computers is OS related so the OS(especially Windows and Mac OS) classes should be your #1 priority. Networking and Hardware are for the other 10%.
Bren
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{
beat();
}
If you're talking about Computer Science OS classes, they teach you about how an OS is made and not specifics of any OS.
I just want to mention that "Pwning" and "Fixing" computers are basically 2 opposite sides of the spectrum. Fixing, really requires very little coursework (A+, N+) and lots of experience. "Pwning" would require the research I mentioned above. If you're going ot a 4yr University, I doubt they will offer classes in A+ and N+, unless they have an extensive Associates degree program.
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I beg to differ. The college I went to for my 4 year degree in fact did offer OS specific classes that not only taught you how the OS was engineered but also the in's and out's of most problems they had and how to fix them. I know because I took Windows, Linux, and Mac OS/Unix myself. If your college just had a general OS class it must have been very limited in other areas as well.
Pwning is just another way to say fixing. The research you mentioned is for engineering systems not fixing existing systems which is what the OP is referring to. It's way overkill for what he wants to do.
Bren
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{
beat();
}
OP Quote: Yes, we have all had that "I want to punch your ass out IRL", or " You can't ban/kick me" moments
To me, that means hacking. Taking down their network or something of the sort. I can't see how you could attribute "pwn" to fixing. Pwn, usually means destroying, being better than, or being in control of the other person. Comes from highly competative FPS game play and I have really never heard it used in reference that wasn't in the way of some sort of competition. Which takes research. If a person wants to do it via college, then a CS degree or any class is not going to help. A Masters in Computer Science with a focus in Encryption, is the only way to get that knowledge purely through College courses.
Your college must have had an "Extensive Associates Program" that I talked about earlier. I really can't see how a Computer Science or Computer Engineering Major would have any need to know how to fix a computer, other than the experience he gains from being on them all the time. Generally, those are reserved for people with Associate Degrees and Certificates. Just as with the Automobile Industry, an Automotive Engineer really isn't going to need alot of mechanic classes, other than what he gains from his knowledge during his Automotive Engineer coursework. Does he really need to know how to even change a tire? Or does he just need to be able design how that tire works and is fitted? Again, mechanics are generally reserved for those with a Associates Degrees and Certificates.
That is, if you're going to a For Profit School, then they usually have alot of junk that really isn't useful just so they can make extra money. Which is why schools like ITTech, DeVry, and U of Pheonix are not highly regarded in the IT Industry, as these classes also count towards their 4yr degree programs.
My school did offer OS specific courses in Windows and Mac. However, they were for people who needed classes on how to use them, not fixing them. And were certainly not for the Computer Science/Engineering students. Linux/Unix knowledge just came from use and the professor throwing out a few commands as you need them. However, that said I am/have been A+, N+, Security+, CISCO and MCTS Certified. This came from some extracurricular activity I was involved in and had nothing to do with my B.S. in Computer Science. Nor, has any of it really helped me since.
Also, they may have been useful for the .Com boom era degrees. However, there are many reasons why most of those degrees have all but completely phased out in most of the country and replaced by just Computer Science/Engineering or sometimes Networking Engineering (which is on it's way out too). Some quick googling, and it seems that many of those For Profit schools I mentioned above, still in fact offer those degrees that nobody else in the country has in their curriculum. Heh.
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Probably what I read is the OP said 'pwn/fix' in his original post. This to me at least meant he wants to 'pwn computer problems' so-to-speak. Maybe I misread it but if he wants to be a Hacker I don't think giving him advice would be the smartest thing to do. Yes, I know how to hack but it's more to prevent it than to do it myself. I went to a regular university that offers all the way up to Doctorates in CS. I wouldn't bother with technical schools(All the ones you mentioned and more) as the BS they offer stands for 'Bull Shit'. I've had all of the courses you mentioned in your original post and then some. The area I live in(Maine) only offers minimum paying jobs in our field so I make a lot more money running my own computer repair/consulting business. I make about a quarter of my money fixing people's computers that other shops in the area with non-CS techs screw up beyond all recognition. I've gained a lot of regular customers including whole businesses directly because of their mistakes. I've thought about moving but I like it here.
Bren
while(horse==dead)
{
beat();
}