Feb 20
3 New Aspects of IT That I Learned About In 2021
The supreme basics of IT are everywhere.
In the workplace. In grocery stores. And schools.
System Hardware, system software, apps galore, ethernet cords organized through cable management, wireless headphones, USB cables.
When I first cracked open the IT Fundamentals book, I humbled myself — a lot.
I relearned about hardware like RAM, CPU, motherboards, etc.
I relearned about Window 10, Windows 8, macOS, and Linux.
I relearned how to use file storage in various operating systems.
And lastly, I learned about the various application software like email software, presentation, and a bunch of web browsers.
Most of the book felt familiar. Even though I brushed up on the concepts, there were new concepts that I didn’t know about, such as networking and security.
I mean, I knew about routers and Ethernet cords. But LANs (local area network) and WANs (wide area network)? Didn’t know about that.
I remember when I learned about routers and switches and old school tech like hubs.
It was new, novel and interesting. This is the best part of the tech industry. There’s so much to learn.
Honestly, it’s slightly overwhelming, but I’m a nerd, so I’m absorbing it a SpongeBob.
Back to networking — to me, networking is important, cause the computers have to talk to each other through physical and wireless connections.
Networking is what made the Internet what it is now.
Did you know that there’s thousands of wires underground everywhere connecting to thousands of servers from your favorite tech companies like Google, Apple or, Meta. These wires are how you can stream Call of Duty: Warzone. And the picture and the bullets for the game comes out so clear. All cause of networking.
The second part of IT that I was kinda new to is security. My past with security has a been a rocky one.
Ready for a quick story?
When I was younger, I was all over Limewire.
Remember Limewire?
The file sharing app.
With Limewire — you can download an endless amount of content, which I did — I put music, movies, and — even games on my parents’ computer. Until, one day, I wanted to play Sonic The Hedgehog via a Sega Genesis emulator. I downloaded it. And you wanna know what happened?
I had the file, opened it, and my screen conked out on me — and started glitching.
Then blue screen of death.
At 13, I gave my parents computer a virus. That virus was so bad that we had to take it to a computer guy who had to replace the hardware and some other components. We couldn’t even the USB sticks that were connected to it.
My parents were livid. And this personally scarred me — I hardly ever download anything nowadays. If you look at my C drive folder right now — it’s mostly Notepads files filled with ideas and writing.
No fancy programs — at all.
I even switched to Macbooks for many, many years (cause it’s know for having less viruses).
Nowadays, security is a huge deal for small and big businesses alike. There’s hackers abound — creating programs and viruses and malware that want access to your personal information.
You gotta be aware of the all the techniques that these hackers use to get that information.
Learning about these techniques has helped me become more confident in navigating the internet. And hopefully, I don’t replace my computer again cause of a crazy virus. Smh.
Third and lastly was learning about software.
My past has been filled with software. Growing up as a video game geek, I played video games from Sonic to Mario to Kingdom Hearts on PlayStation 2. I had my parents subscribe to video game magazines. In high school, I was on the Internet reading IGN and Gamespot and watching video game reviews on Youtube. Junior year of high school, we learned HTML — and built our own websites.
After — in College — I took video game programming courses (which I almost failed) using C++. Two semesters made me realize I don’t love video game programming, and switched to being a Film major/TV minor. Using hardware like old 1942 war cameras and software like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premier.
Now, I’m early in my career — my office gig, using a cheap CRM filled with a bunch of my clients data and info…
… I love learning about software — particularly using it. Operating Systems like Linux are my favorite. And various apps on my phone like Twitter and Tiktok and Twitch. Like everybody else. Smh.
Software is my favorite part of IT. It’s the most creative and the most mathematical. And you can implement every problem solving mental resource that you have to fix a problem.
Eventually, I’ll create my own software (maybe) — but currently I like learning about different software such as word processing, or spreadsheets, or web browser or even — gaming…
…
Lastly, learning has a been a fun process — while trying to enter the IT industry. I think it’s the number one factor to forseen in this industry, since there’s a new technology coming out every week!
