LOL.....isn't it funny how one little reference to taking a "class" at a community college could set off such a thread? I love it, and was glad to instigate it. There is a soft spot in my heart for a little banter, action, and disagreement.
(I might be listening to Mofocult a little to much maybe???)
Here is my two cents worth here. I dropped out of high school and received my GED while in the Army. I passed enough classes in high school to be the equivilent of a sophmore. Funny thing is, when I took that GED test at the age of 23, I scored in the top 12% compared to the group of highschool graduates they have take the same test every year. Here I had been out of school for over 5 years, and still retained as much knowledge to score that well, even after dropping out my junior year, and having "missed" most of my classes for the two years before that.
Anyway, off the college I went where I only needed a remedial math class to be able to take all college level courses. Funny though, on the reading test, I scored off the chart. I was told that I had a reading retention level equivilent to someone who had a Phd. ?!?!?!?!?!?!
Never did take college too seriously either. I didn't skip, I just took classes that were more "fun" by nature. Quit after 2 semesters, went back a few years later, dicovered my same indifference to school, and haven't been back since.
Where this all actually pertains to this thread, and why I actually suggested that The Doc take some classes on computers is because before I went back to college the second time, I had never used a computer, and was really "against" them. But I took the one required computer course they had, and also, my English course was all done on computer (I mean all the essays, not the instruction). By then, I was hooked!!!
The basic computer course gave me just enough information and knowledge to be dangerous on a computer. It took several years before I actually owned one for myself. But it got me interested. It showed me what was possible, (or course back then, 286's were the rage, and having a 100MB hard drive was REALLY big...) Anyway, the course opened new doors for me. I don't regret taking it, or any of the courses I took in college.
I am mostly self taught in most things that I do well at. So I tend to agree with S8-N about just having an interest and a willingness to try to learn something new being the only real requirement to actually learning it. I too sit down and read manuals, help functions, etc.... when I need to learn.
But, I also realize that not everybody learns in the same way as I do. I will not protend to having much specific knowledge about different learning techniques, and what is best for any induvidual, but I know just enough to know that some people require different approaches to learning things than others. Guys like me and S8-N may do better on our own, just reading up on stuff, and an occasional helping hand with something. Others may require a more structured approach to learning. Either way, what really matters is gaining the knowledge no matter what.
I learned recording the hard way, by spending too many damn hours at the console. Never took a course, never really had a mentor, and until about 3 years ago, never had any good equipment. But learn I did. I read everything I could find. I also bugged the hell out of anyone who might know anything about it. Obviously, not many professional engineers are willing to share too much of the valuable information they have with a young guy who may someday take clients away. This is the way of things. I used to get pissed that many in the field were evasive in answering specific questions. Now of course, I understand. I can't count how many times I have explained things in great detail to someone who asked, and claimed to want to learn, and they didn't care a bit about it. They're loss I guess. So now I tend to direct people in a direction where they can discover for themselves. If they take the bait, and come back with better questions, I give a little more detail. If they come back again, I know that they are serious and can then be much more helpful.
Having owned my own business now for awhile, I can relate quite well with the others on here about using people that have shown their dedication to doing something by attending classes for it. It shows a willingness to show up and learn. It provides dicipline, which is a very important trait to have in the recording field. Bottom line though is that I prefer people with a zest for what they are doing over and books smarts, or any display of specific knowledge about something. Charisma is the key here. My clients generally have it, and I need it to succeed, and any employee needs it to work for me. Then we all have a charismatic experience and live happily ever after in a world of bliss, or at least until the singer comes in to do his/her tracks......
Anyway, I am essaying here again, and anyone who reads my replies knows that I have this tendency. So I will sign off now.
Ed
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