As someone who regularly interviews applicants at the secretarial and professional level, I can attest that most people think they know more about computers than they do. I've developed this index of computer skill and knowledge, based on the platforms I use — Windows XP, Microsoft Office, Visual Basic for Applications.
| 11 | Consults to Bill Gates | ||
| 10 | Consults to God when He has Windows, Office and VBA questions. One of the twenty most knowledgeable people in the world. When he wants to reconfigure Windows, he doesn't fool around with the Windows registry, he simply edits the source code. No longer works for Microsoft because he quit and now consults to them at five times the salary he was being paid. | ||
| 9 | A true guru. Doesn't use VBA as much as he used to because he is writing a book on advanced uses of VBA. When he purchased a peripheral that was not supported by Windows, he spent three days writing a device driver for it. Was excited about Mozilla release the source code for the Firefox browser because of all the changes he wanted to made to it. If employed by Microsoft, he would no longer be doing very much development, because most of his time is spent dispensing advice to other developers. Doesn't read that many computer magazines because he is too busy writing articles for them. | ||
| 8 | Quasi-guru. Doesn't bother recording VBA because "recording is for wimps. Real men write VBA code from scratch." When he wants to reconfigure Windows, he simply edits the Windows registry directly. Used to use FrontPage, but he quit because "it's so much faster to write the HTML code yourself." Not only knows Windows XP and Server cold, but knows how to edit the registry to trick Windows Professional into booting as Windows Server. If employed by Microsoft, he would be a developer, or if he was in the Testing group, he would be manager of the Testing group. His home LAN consists of two servers connected by three different communication protocols. Doesn't read that many computer magazines because he prefers to read the code for software packages. | ||
| 7 | A true expert. Highly proficient in VBA, but for some of the more esoteric aspects of VBA, he has to read the manual. Has memorized the Office object model cold. Not only knows Windows XP, but also Windows Server. If employed by Microsoft, he would be employed in the Testing group. Not only has several PCs and workstations at home, but also has his own local area network at home. Reads VB Programmer's Journal. | ||
| 6 | Expert. Competent in VBA. Knows the Office object model well. If employed by Microsoft, he would no longer be a technical support engineer, but rather would serve as technical support's liaison with the Testing group. Has his own workstation at home ("only a wimp would use a PC"). Not only has his own Internet account, but his own domain name. | ||
| 5 | Proficient user. Is beginning to get good at macros. Knows basic VBA, but mainly uses VBA when he records (as opposed to programs) macros. Could pass the Expert level of the Office exams. If employed by Microsoft, he would be one of the better technical support engineers. | ||
| 4 | Competent user. Knows most of the basic functions. Could pass the Proficient level of the Office exams. Rarely if ever uses macros. Owns a PC at home as well as a notebook computer. Has his own Internet account ("AOL is for newbies."). Reads PC Magazine. | ||
| 3 | Somewhat competent, but still is lacking in certain basic areas. Lacks a good understanding of the theory and command structure behind these packages. Has his own PC at home. Subscribes to America Online, and doesn't understand why more proficient users look down on AOL. Reads PC World. | ||
| 2 | Some knowledge, but basically doesn't know much. Uses software packages for very basic functions, such as short memos or very simple spreadsheets. | ||
| 1 | Minimal knowledge. Can perform the most rudimentary tasks, albeit painfully. | ||
| 0 | Total ignorance. Dumb as a rock. |
Read James' essay Some Advice on Computers
July 2, 2002, version 1.2 | List of other essays written by James Mitchell | Copyright notice
Cite as “An Index of Computer Skills and Knowledge" by James Mitchell. July 2, 2002, version 1.2.
www.BostonConvivium.com/jm_essays/index_computer_skills.