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Understanding the Microprocessor
Citywide writes "Ars has a very thorough technical piece up entitled Understanding the Microprocessor. It's pitched lower than many Ars articles (all of which are a bit over my head, to be honest), but that's why it's worth checking out: it explains the fundamentals is a very clear and useful way. And as the author notes, this kind of information is really crucial to get a grip on before Hammer arrives."
I disagree.....
Everybody has a 'level' they need to start at when learning ANYTHING.
More often than not, the starting level offered to someone is a bit higher than their current comprehension level on a given subject. It happens all the time to college freshmen. It doesn't mean they are dumb. They have the capability to learn it. It means that their life experiences and knowledge are incompatible with the method in which the subject material is being presented.
With the assistance of an additional reference level (a bridge to knowledge, if you will), a person can then make 'the connection' to the material being taught. The microprocessor diagram helped me a lot. I learned about microprocessor theory from many books and diagrams. I'll be damned if I'll ever be able to share my knowledge with anyone else because it seemed tough to explain to someone else after I understood how it worked. I've always had a problem with 'dumbing down' anything I needed to explain. People always complain that I talk over their heads when they want an answer to a 'simple' question.
The example given in this article greatly streamlines the concept. Now I can give a quick intro to microprocessors the next time the subject comes up.