How do you know...what you know?

[The Great Bundini]

I thought this would be the relevant place to ask.

Where did you learn everything you know about graphics? I'm fairly proficient in general PC hardware, including videocards themselves. I, like so many others, am completely self taught by reading numerous sites and articles across the interweb. But where does one pick up the advanced knowledge that I know so many of you here posses regarding 3D, boards, and PC graphics in general?

I guess the most obvious answer is Beyond3D itself, and that's partially why I joined here. I have also begun to read the numerous articles on the mainsite.

But what else is out there?

And I apologize if this has been asked before or if its the wrong section.

Thanks all.

 

[LeGreg]

I guess the most obvious answer is Beyond3D itself, and that's partially why I joined here. I have also begun to read the numerous articles on the mainsite.

But what else is out there?

If you don't know anything you won't learn more here, people who know won't talk and people who don't know will talk a lot and feed you with a lot of misconceptions and other bs. (of course there are always worse places..)

For the knowledge that depends of what you want to do. If you want to work in the field, go to university, take some advanced class. Program a bit (so that you know the difference between a shader and a mousepad). Read papers.

Only common sense

 

[Pete]

A book like Real-Time Rendering would probably be a good starter.

 

[rwolf]

Play lots of games and sit close to the monitor.

 

[Simon F]

I thought this would be the relevant place to ask.

Where did you learn everything you know about graphics?

1.5 years of Graphics subjects at Uni PLUS (cough) almost 20 years in the industry... which involves a lot of reading of research papers (eg Siggraph).

 

[Para]

All my not very extensive knowledge comes from being in the right place at the right time. So everything I know about this subject has come to me without any effort

 

[Kombatant]

I read the Inquirer

Ok, seriously now, I've done extensive computer architecture courses for both my BSc and my MSc (even board designing/microelectronics/assembly for various microprocessors), plus, since I like the subject, I read various stuff on my own.

 

[digitalwanderer]

Play lots of games and sit close to the monitor.

Really close!

 

[euan]

I don't know why I'm here. Maybe it's because I dream of something better than a career writing OS9 programs (the RTOS, not mac) that look like they came from the 70's.

 

[MasterBaiter]

I learned most of what I know from sleeping with my video cards and absorbing the technolodgical advances via osmosis.

Okay, actually I learned most of what I know because I'm overly curious (I'm not overly smart however).

 

[DOGMA1138]

books, some 1 i know, and gameDEV ogl tuts...
oh and yeah and B3D
and i dont know much, only the basics i need a brain/knowlage suckin machine... and then - siggraph 2005 here i come

 

[KimB]

Well, it's simple, really. Read the forums, participate in discussions. Temper statements with logic and research (i.e. reading reviews, doing simple tests, etc.). Simple participation and thought can get you a lot of knowledge. That's mostly what I've done.

 

[AlNom]

do a search.







.... Seriously, though. I have found a lot of info from these forums.

 

[Reverend]

For me, it has been books and my association with Beyond3D (which basically means the Internet).

Books can teach you a lot but books usually stick and play by the (API) rules.

With the Internet, there is so much you can learn that books don't teach you. Being associated with a media outlet like B3D means folks within the industry, be it the IHVs or the ISVs, may be more willing to talk to me. And they have. And I have learned a lot about 3D graphics via such correspondences.

However, folks here like Simon Fenney, Kristof, sireric et al (all those IHV personnels) usually are useless to me in this aspect... they don't tell me anything that helps with improving my 3D knowledge the public don't already know. Assholes.

 

[Dave B(TotalVR)]

However, folks here like Simon Fenney, Kristof, sireric et al (all those IHV personnels) usually are useless to me in this aspect... they don't tell me anything that helps with improving my 3D knowledge the public don't already know. Assholes.

 

[Sage]

However, folks here like Simon Fenney, Kristof, sireric et al (all those IHV personnels) usually are useless to me in this aspect... they don't tell me anything that helps with improving my 3D knowledge the public don't already know. Assholes.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!

ok that was funny.



anyhow, in answer to the original posters question- lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and LOTS of time wasted on these forums. then, i got wise, and read a few of the ARTICLES on B3D. Oh yeah, and I'm smarter than everyone I've ever met so I do certainly have an advantage. But, books are a waste of my time. I can't read worth a shit. It's a good think I can't though, or else I'd have already taken over the world (I am serious). But, I guess when it comes down to it, there are two things that have really made the difference for me- a love of the subject and, a love of learning.

 

[KimB]

If you're smarter than everybody you've met, then you're in the wrong field (or you're not old enough yet).

Side comment, though: I'm firmly of the opinion that intelligent people are made, not born.

 

[DOGMA1138]

or he`s just met some realy dumb ppl

 

[KimB]

Which wouldn't exclude the meeting of intelligent people.

 

[Sage]

im smarter than all of you...