On Thu, 24 Mar 2005 07:01:49 -0500, Peter T. Daniels
<grammatim@...> wrote:

> I neither know nor need to know how my car or television works; nor do I
> know or need to know how my computer works. It is a TOOL, not an end in
> itself.

I surely, truly hope you are not proud of your ignorance!

One does need to know how to use a tool, and even develop requisite skills
in its use.

Making one's computer capable of handling a wide variety of characters, in
a manner compatible with international standards, does seem appropriate
for a writing-system expert. Knowing when one's computer needs upgrading
is wise. One need not do it by oneself, nor know how to do so.

It helps to know something of how modern devices work because one is much
better prepared to avoid dishonest and incompetent technical work on one's
devices.

--
Nicholas Bodley /*|*\ Waltham, Mass.
The curious hermit -- autodidact and polymath