THE THREE FAIRIES
Gaining Experiences on Computers and Humans-A
Humorous Account
Taking into account that we were completely ignorant of any aspects of computers, gaining experiences was our primal objective. Not knowing what we might encounter behind the corner, we were utterly petrified with the very first glance at the "damned thing". But, fortunately enough, the serene looking "beast" transformed itself into our adorable "lover boy" we did not want to separate from even during the so much wanted coffee breaks. Nevertheless, as all experienced "lover boys", he let us take advantage of his unprotected body and mind and enter the essence of his almighty being.
Not being able to spend all our precious time with the best of the best, we regretfully had to devote our attention to the two-legged creatures bearing the same sinful intention to seduce at least one of those enlightening God-given messengers of knowledge. Realizing our inability to conquer "the Chosen" to the bone we cunningly gathered to share the mutual experiences on the ordeal of surviving in the cryptic world of the new era of knowledge providers, computers.
Yet we have discovered that, in spite of their omniscient
brains, we are the supervising creators of their artificial destinies.
THE NOTORIOUS
Computers
I've always hated mice and now I hate them even more. The mouse turned out to be my worst enemy. I definitely need a mousetrap.
By now I'm so frustrated that I'm not able to say
anything positive. You've picked up the wrong moment for this
task as far as I'm concerned because my enthusiasm has "crashed
down", actually my whole system has crashed down.
The Inferiority Complex and Frustration
If you haven't had any experiences with the inferiority complex by now, here is a good way to put it on trial. Why don't you sign up for the Computing Science Seminar in Petnica and you will know what I mean. Would you ever imagine that a mouse or a machine could destroy your own carefully established self-esteem in the spur of a moment and that the frustrating pressure would mount as the days passed? The questions like "What am I doing here?" or "How am I doing to do this without embarrassing myself in front of my colleagues or, what's even worse, in front of the lecturers?" will spring into your mind instantaneously.
But on the other had, we are all in the same pot,
aren't we? So, I solemnly declare: "I shall endure and see
the fruits of my effort come to pass.
A Guidebook to Petnica
Landscape
Most of us have never been in these parts, which is a bit shocking since Yugoslavia is a small country. The landscape is great-the hills are all in yellow, orange and red. You can see for miles, but we didn't really manage to see much of it during our stay (except on postcards), partly because of the weather and partly because of our "working system" which dropped dead.
Weather
When we arrived, the weather was really suicidal, similar to the one Ahab experienced in the opening chapter of Moby Dick. But after two drizzly days, it got better and we used it to take a walk for a WHOLE HOUR. We got stuck in the mud and had to go back.
Entertainment
When people enter a seminar they are expected to spend SOME TIME working. Since Petnica is a science center people are expected to spend a LOT OF TIME working. We have known that.
But, here are some things we haven't known-such as effective work for 16 hours with breaks long enough for us to burn ourselves drinking coffee. Fortunately our coffee travels pretty long from the kitchen to its destination which makes us safe.
However, if you want to have the time of your life GO TO THE KITCHEN. When the time comes for you to leave this place we are sure that you don't want to go back to the precious computer. So, drop in to another paradise where you can get the best of the two coffees (competition is really tough).
We can't wait for the night to come because the real entertainment is yet to begin. These are the things that simply can't be described so come here and see it yourself.
CU when U get here, if U ever get here!
THE BOOGIE MEN
The Mouse Horror
Generally, I'm afraid of mice and it has never occurred to me that I'd be "toying" in the Petnica Research Center. Fortunately, it was an electronic mouse, a part of a frustrating PC, which-unfortunately-didn't make my task any easier.
Both the mouse and its central unit made most of us experience tremendous pressure and inferiority complex. For most of us, this was the first encounter (of the Third kind) with a PC beast. Therefore, the mouse wasn't just a small harmless mammal any more; it turned into a dangerous tameless "tiger" running through a jungle of words and functions which were impossible to control.
The terrible "thing" EVEN made us toss and turn in bed at night. It appeared in our dreams as gigantic Godzilla chasing us through the labyrinth of the Microsoft and Internet world, turning our dreams into horrible nightmares, out of which we were awoken with a start, sweating our petrified souls off.
So we, the lost - deadly frightened souls - had to find a way of dealing with its whimsical moves.
First, we thought of looking for a cat somewhere in the neighborhood, but it carried on driving us nuts so much that we were nearly brought to the very verge of committing suicide. Then, as if some divine light was cast upon us, there came our "saviors", which helped us escape the "near death" situation.
With the precious instruction and assistance of these
computer experts, "the Godzilla" was temporarily calmed
down, so we could rest for a while. Until our next very personal
encounter with the beast! There comes the boogie-man AGAIN!!!!
Boooooooo!
MINIE MOUSE
PETNICA
The science centre Petnica is situated 7 kms from the town Valjevo. Surrounded by a picturesque landscape, it offers a great opportunity for serious and peaceful work. A number of students and teachers come here every year, because the centre organises seminar courses for teachers and research projects for students. As they stay here for the week or more, they can enjoy the good food and accommodation. People interested in science come from all parts of Yugoslavia and other countries in order to learn something new and gain a new experience. Moreover, people exchange the ideas, which is, perhaps, the most important thing. A typical working day in Petnica is like this: you start working at 10 o'clock in the morning and finish it at midnight, or even later. If you wonder about organized entertainment, there is none. There are coffee breaks which give you great satisfaction. When you go to bed, you realize that all the day was not organized but a spontaneous fun. We don't want to talk about departure.
P.S. Tonight we are having a farewell party.
Minie Mouse
ANONYMOUS GROUP
Teachers' Computer Training
Teacher's computer training is being held in Petnica research centre in November 1998. The aim of this seminar is to make English teachers of grammar schools in Yugoslavia familiar with using the computers in classrooms.
teachers are given professional help as well as the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with both experts and colleagues.
One of the main seminar aspects is Internet usage in language teaching. The teachers, for example, have been learning to get and send e-mails, to do many different operations and tasks as well as to use Internet terminology.
In spite of the difficulties they met at the beginning of the seminar, teachers have become interested in computer learning finding it extremely useful in their work. being conscious that it is only a modest start, the teachers hope that they will develop their skills and transfer them to their colleagues and students.
"Do computer mice like cheese?"
STIJOVIC
PETNICA
Science research centre at Serbia, Valjevo. A peaceful village with nice and picturesque surroundings. In spite of the bad weather the first two days we had fun learning hard about e-mail and computing. A scientific day of guys working here is very fulfilling. Since early hours, activities are going in many different directions with restless timing, go to lunch, have a snack and back to work till dinner as well as afterwards. Very interesting tempo.
Let's say that I can't make a social cultural concept of modern day man if it is as hard as in their way, I'd rather live in Sweden and be a modern "Bedouin" with no address but a PC and a mobile telephone and some cash in my pocket. Being stuck at one place even with such an interesting day like this, I could barely stand.
Stijovic Arso