How does a person get an in depth understanding of computers etc??

[Sho'Nuff]

When I was 4 My dad got me writing little basic programs on an apple 2e. Have had an interest in computers since then.

I had a similar experience. I started writing BASIC programs on the C64 when I was 6 or 7. That began my obsession with computers and hardware, and was fueled by a keen interest in video gaming. Surprisingly, when I went to college I decided to get a degree in chemistry rather than computer science or engineering. But I tinkered with computers (of all types, e.g., VAX servers, PC's, equipment controllers etc.) constantly, and built countless PC's for myself and friends. After college I became a patent examiner, where I examined applications drawn to hard drive technology (primarily magnetic and magneto-optical media). My job at that time was literally to spend 8 hours a day reading patents and technical literature on hard drives.

After several years I left the USPTO to become a patent attorney. One of my major job functions is to draft patent applications drawn to computer hardware and software, as well as semiconductor/integrated circuit manufacturing processes. I don't tinker with computers as much as I used to, but that is only because I read and write about computer software/hardware on a near daily basis.

FWIW - my nascent curiosity and obsession with computers (which lead to a "home grown" education in computer science) is largely responsible for my success as a patent attorney. Certainly more so than my formal education as in chemistry.

 

[Zor Prime]

I'll tell you what began my IT education.

I got a computer. It had DOS. I had a command prompt. Didn't know what to do.

I finally typed in HELP and hit enter.

Then all these commands showed up.

I started going through them all.

That's how I began learning.

 

[Jimbello]

My computer literacy accelerated dramatically after I switched to open source operating systems. I'm now using Linux Mint 17. The main reason for this is the streamlined accessibility of software from quarantined software repositories and the efficient forums that provide assistance when required.
In just one year I have learned more about my computer and how to operate and maintain it effectively than all the previous years of struggling with Microsoft systems.
I now use open source software for other equipment I have and for many programs including drawing programs.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

You are kind of asking two different things. One thing that you asking is how to understand computers on a practical level. Dealing with hardware and software in order to fix things or get them running. That can only come with experience. It really helps to have a "safe computer" that you can rely upon for your day-to-day needs, and an "experimental computer" that you assemble from parts, switch out parts, switch out OS's, and do different things without having to worry about not being able to get your work done. You can use the "safe computer" to help you figure out problems with the "experimental computer".

Your other question is more theoretical and less practical. Learning programming means being able to make it do whatever you want. Pick up the book "Code" by Charles Petzold (Microsoft Press). It goes way in-depth as to how computers work on a fundamental level..... starting from the functioning of the bottom-most transistors inside the logic unit of a CPU, and building from there up to pieces of running code. All in a very clear understandable way. It literally tells you how you can build a basic logic gate out of wires and batteries and switches. Then how you can assemble a couple of those logic gates to do basic math like adding two numbers. Then you assemble a couple of those units together and you can do more complicated stuff. Etc.

 

[Farmer]

It's good you've realized that there is far more to computers than simply what card to place into what slot, what commands to issue on a shell to do a network install, what cables to plug in where, etc.

In short? Goto college. Major in CS, EE, or computer engineering. After that, you will have a very good basic understanding with a little bit of practical knowledge.

 

[hdecharn]

In short? Goto college.

There are many good books available that can help in developing these skills.