I have grown up with computers, beginning with paper tape input, holerith (spelling ?) cards this was in the 1960's. I have built (assembled) at least 6 PC towers, installed the operating systems... up thru Vista and Windows 7. And as an electrical engineer, I know roughly how and why they work like they do. I have done programming, and system analysis. I also gotten involved with desktop publishing especially early on with Apple systems. Now, being a golden ager, I am still very much involved and use the internet a lot for info, news communicating and data storage at all levels. At one point in my career I chose a computer over having a secretary.
I am experienced in product development and planning, and probably look at computers quite differently than a lot of students do.
As computers have progressed from major data base systems (IBM and the like) to small but powerful individual computers ... we now see that the notebook or laptop computer is gaining rapidly in both power and capability and portability. The world is now carrying a computer in their hands ... it is called a smart phone. Apple has introduced the iPad and caught the PC world by surprise at how quickly people are adopting their version of touch screen manipulating. Microsoft tried for many years to develop touch screen, but it has failed Apple is way ahead by providing both the operating system and the corresponding hardware. No one else is doing that. HP has finally grasp the concept and are trying to play catchup.
Why to people like Apple systems. Once the basics are understood, using the computer is EZ. They are consistent, powerful and handle graphics beautifully.
My person strength is in writing and communicating. I am a fluent writer and I spend many hours each day on a computer.
We no longer have a land line. So our phones are cell phones. My next computers will be a powerful MacBook Air for general computing and interfacing with flash drives, harddrives for backup and massive data access, and portability... we like to travel. I don't need a tower any more. I am not a gamer. I am buying my wife an iPad, but I am waiting for the next version this spring (april). I will not buy another pc. I have several, and I see no advantage to updating. I am using a laptop that is four years old with Windows XP. I works well. I know how to handle virus issues. I don't have shut down and system failures.
You ask do I appreciate the extended functionalit and increasing pervasiveness of computing now. I follow the latest developments in the key building blocks ... processors, memory, system buses, storage systems and mutitasking and graphics, particularly photo and video with sound.
I blog, not with the idea of sharing at the facebook level ... in fact I will not use Facebook or the other social networks. But I communicate with special groups and individuals daily.
As for copying, the world is going digital. Book readers will replace the typical printed book for students. The iPad is the classic favorite. All the other touch screen computer offerings are vaporware. They simply don't exist except as talked about by the media monguls. Sure there is Kindle, Nook and Sony for book readers, but they are single function, and very slow. FAX is rapidly being replaced by PDF as a file system. I hardly use a printer ... I have three. I have a scanner ... a very good Epson ... I haven't turned it on in almost a year. Nearly all my action is via the internet. Yet I still don't bank on line. I am close, but fearful of theft. I know enough to be dangerous. I have consulting friends who are experts in banking security.
When you see kindergarten students sitting in computer labs ... teachers using smart board (vs. chalk boards) ... when school principals communicate with teachers via e-mail. you see that the pervasiveness is rapidly spreading everywhere. Just ask the question who doesn't have a cell phone.
As far as looking back do I think the challenges I faced are any easier now ... certainly. The computer today are sophisticated. With Apple systems, I don't have to get so involved with the operating system, it just takes care of itself... not so with Microsoft systems. I am geeky, but I am a user and I do keep up-to-date with what is going on. I don't text. I have done VOIP.
The only challenge I have now is living within our retirement funds, and I don't spend a lot on computers while the ones I have are working.
I hope this helps you a bit. I am just one voice among the millions.