fsr help
all because the gemhost disallows requests from http proxies
### in-summary-ha-as-if
=> introduction.html introduction
the introduction gave a quick historical overview of computing, from timesharing to the latches on modern expansion cards.
=> layers.html layers
talked about getting into the computer conceptually, abstractions, the notion of "hacking" and the wonder of modularity, legacy data encoding and what computers do before you can actually use them.
=> programming-languages.html programming-languages
actually talked about programming languages, the relationship with math and how grace hopper saved us from apl, why hex codes are Like That and how computers did context before we created the creepy statistical mimics we already use to deny people basic necessities and rights. it talked about routines and why "hello world" is useful. then it saved most talk about actual programming languages for the next chapter:
=> writing-your-own-programming-language.html writing-your-own-programming-language
talked about loops and shell code, demonstrated how to write the worlds simplest programming language, differentiated (some) between interpreters and compilers, discussed commands and parameters and what features you MIGHT actually want in a language, and warned about burnout and keeping projects simple enough to begin with.
=> some-talk-about-syntax.html some-talk-about-syntax
compared several languages, discussed how to improve the simplest programming language from the previous chapter, gave suggestions for how to create a better programming language that is actually useful for something, whinged about javascript, warned against xml and defended appinventor.
=> hardware.html hardware
talked about how to get rid of it, how to find it cheaply, why its tricky to connect most (but not all) things to most (but not all) other things, and how to (hopefully) not set your screen on fire. then it got tired and let another chapter take over from there.
=> hardware-scavenger-hunt.html hardware-scavenger-hunt
didnt talk about much of anything at all. it just listed various types of hardware that might be fun to look at, and told the reader to do "whatever" with that information.
=> what-does-hardware-do.html what-does-hardware-do
said that the main thing hardware does is run "software" or an operating system, despite the fact that most peripherals just talk to the other hardware and let your operating system worry about what to do with that. but its sort of true.
=> software.html software
said that if hardware was easy enough, we wouldnt need software but its probably better that we have it anyway, and suggested removing your operating system (though only if youre not using it). it talked a bit about graphical shells and openbsd and live distros, while lamenting that most people are apathetic towards monopolies.
=> applications.html applications
talked about why 8-bit computing was better, even though it wasnt but it couldve been with more more ram and faster cpus, discussed api stability and office software. it recommended playing videos instead of fancying up your desktop, although fancying up your desktop is technically fine, and celebrated the on-again-off-again history of actually teaching people about computers.
=> in-summary-ha-as-if.html in-summary-ha-as-if
talked about applications, software, hardware and program syntax, plus offered an introduction to the rest of the text by linking to the first page in the series.
it also talked about how the biggest dangers of ai dont require it becoming self-aware or developing a silicon-based urge to start clearcutting humans like the amazon rainforests, because humans are already using it to clearcut humans like rainforests while humans use ai to become less self-aware.
it pointed to the history of computing as enhancing our ability to design, build and launch weapons primarily, to do surveillance for purposes of sheer evil really, even nearly a century ago, and how we have always tried to find cooler, less murdery purposes for computing which i suppose is better than typecasting it.
either way, the author would like to express at this time that computer literacy is a good thing, because without it the various things that happen are due only to a sort of magic. while i believe that magic can be used for good instead of evil, i dont think that technology is neutral. it enables us to quickly do too much of something whether its too much of a good thing (which is bad because its excessive) or too much of a bad thing which is worse because it wasnt good even when there was less of it.
in other words, be careful not to work on the modern alternative to nuclear weapons- stupid little robots with guns and missiles that can wipe out an entire people with ruthless automation just as if we were dropping nukes on them.
youre probably okay working on a little text editor or something, or even writing a little os, and maybe youll become some kind of superhacker working for good instead of evil or just a plucky (but genius) activist like aaron swartz. may you fare much better.
but whether your deeds are epic, heroic or more along the lines of harmless and joyful tinkering, hopefully lains simple integrity of "thats a lie" and devotion to putting things right will follow you on your journey with the wonders of computing.
the essence of hacking (any definition of the word) may ultimately be about traversing layers, but theres nothing wrong with finding which layer you like the best and spending most of your time working on that. i think most people find they admire one or two layers more than the others, though each layer has its purpose and its strengths.
you may even find that this microcosm of silicon with its endless intertwining vines and roots and branches are more like nature and even society than you ever would have imagined. that everything is a network, everything is processing data of some kind, everything is a function or abstraction or implementation of part of a somehow greater function. perhaps.
=> https://fsrhelp.envs.net/
(back to the main page)
=> https://portal.mozz.us/gemini/fsrhelp.envs.net/
(it wouldve been cooler to do it this way instead)
license: 0-clause bsd
```
# 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
#
# Permission to use, copy, modify, and/or distribute this software for any
# purpose with or without fee is hereby granted.
#
# THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
# WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
# MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR
# ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
# WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
# ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF
# OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
```