The “gaming” result of your poll reminded me of why I got into computers. My parents introduced me to the Atari 2600 when I was about four years old. I’m sure they’ve regretted that choice at various times over the years; I’ve been a gamer ever since.

My introduction to video games did more than just give me a way to waste large amounts of time, however. It practially determined what I would do for a living. I inherited my dad’s engineering tendencies and his desire to figure out how his toys worked. My interest in games drove me to be interested in software development and general computer technology. While I’m not a game developer (which is typically not a family-friendly occupation), I make a living designing other types of software and I also build and repair computers as a hobby. Since my technological interests keep my family fed, so I suppose my parents’ “mistake” wasn’t all bad.

Gaming actually has had a larger impact on the technology industry than many would like to admit. I agree with an article that I red a few years ago (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1545392,00.asp) by John C. Dvorak that claims gaming is really what keeps Windows alive in the area of home computers. Personally, it’s the only significant reason I still use Windows, and I’m definitely not alone. Also, gaming is without a doubt the most significant reason the CPU in your computer is as fast as it is. Competition between AMD and Intel drives them to make better products as fast as they can, and the segment that has driven this competition more than any other for the past several years is gaming.

Embrace those gamers that are eager to learn! In the future, you’ll be glad you did.

Jeremy Johnson