Re: unexpected obstacles

["Michael N. Monce" <mnmon@CONNCOLL.EDU>]

> On Saturday, Dec 21, 2002, XXX wrote:
>
> > . . . I hear students entertain themselves using
> > a computer instead of tinkering or reading. . . .

   I don't know if this is fair. It depends on how one uses the computer
for entertainment.  I, for one, often do.  I use the computer as an
extension of my two favorite hobbies: aviation and golf.  I had to give up
flying many years ago due to finances, but I use the computer for flight
simulation. I start a session by getting "real weather" downloaded. I go
through a complete weather briefing, flight planning, etc. I often spend a
significant amount of time just planning before the actual "flight".  A
great mental exercise. BTW, I really like John Denker's web site for his
aviation info.

    As for golf, it's a great outlet for those of us "up north" whose
season is weather limited.  While playing golf on the computer is ok, what
I have recently found is the course architecture CAD programs.  I'm working
through reproducing some of my favorite courses.  As anyone who has worked
on a complicated piece of software that has a steep learning curve knows,
this can be fairly challenging.

    True, there is probably a lot of effort wasted on games like FPS's
(first person shooters), but there can be some interesting ways to spend a
deary afternoon in front of a computer.

                       Mike Monce
                       Connecticut College