A Beginner's Intrepid March Along the Information Superhighway

Born in the 1970's, reared in the 1980's, schooled in the 1990's, and employed in the new millennium, I, like many people of my generation, watched as the computer came into homes and eventually into pockets. In 1995 I was supposedly part of the 0.4%  of global users accessing the information superhighway. Of course, back then, too much time was spent searching for adult entertainment with less direction towards the virtuous acquisition of knowledge. 

My original "workspace" at USCGA in 1995. Notice the small, ancient Apple© laptop to the right of the blotter.

Fast forward to the present, with a shade over four decades under my belt, over half of which has been dedicated in one way or the other within maritime industry, I could very well remain complacent. Much like the 19 year old then, I still stare with astonishment at the magic box atop my desk, seemingly incapable of understanding the sheer complexities that occur within the blink of an eye, yet, until now, too timid to venture a look at the little man behind the curtain. Realistically, I do not need to understand the complexities of the virtual realm. I do not need to know what or how the little man works his magic, I just need to be able to harness his power in pursuit of specific objectives.

VTS multi-sensor array monitoring Mississippi River traffic in 2016.

Access to the Internet, and its continuous onslaught of information via the World Wide Web, brings with it the good, the bad, and the downright ridiculous. The positives and the negatives can be debated ad nauseam. Regardless, this is not a fad and it is not going away. The little man, with all of his knowledge, is now exactly who I am trying to emulate. Whereas I once resigned the technological grasp strictly to the realm of "geeks", I nonetheless sat mystified as those indispensable employees corrected my lack of understanding. Those men and women appeared to be able to communicate in a language I felt I was not smart enough to comprehend. That simple act of self-loathing, that self-imposed barrier needed to be smashed.

Thus far my new endeavor has been greeted with support from family and friends alike. Of course there lingers the questions concerning why I am now pursuing a degree in computer information technology and what do I plan do do with it after completion. After all I have a comfortable job that provides for my family. I don't necessarily need to undertake such a task.  The long answer will just be some superfluous diatribe concerning intellectual enrichment regardless of age that I would rather not bore anyone with because the simple answer is marketability.

Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher, is credited with saying, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". Whether alone or in concert across our interconnected globe, thus begins my inestimable journey, my embracing of my inner-geek, my wall-breaking, my foray into understanding and conquering the Web.