(Credit: Benchmark Review)

I first touched a computer when I was six or seven years old. It was a basic computer, it didn't have internet. I do not remember vividly how my initial experience with that computer went. I just know I probably was not using it for its intended purpose. I do however remember me being so mesmerize by it's functions. I had no clue how to work it and spent the majority of the time on it, typing really fast as I imagined I was a lawyer or banker.  

The computer came with an Encyclopedia set my mother bought for my family. Its so ironic how much money she spent on a set of Encyclopedias that in 5 to 10 more years would have been free on the internet. She was the only one that actually used it. She was going to college at the time, so all I remember was her typing tons of papers on it and saving her info on floppy disks. It was not until 1998 that I remember getting a Desktop Computer with internet. We used Dial-Up, and always had to wait to use the phone if someone needed to use the computer. I used it to serf the web and to play computer games. There was only one computer in the whole house, so we each had a set time when we could use it. This computer came in handy during that time because I had just started one of my first keyboarding classes and needed it to do homework on.

(credit: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com)

As I started moving up through school, it seemed that computer skills were more needed. I was introduced to different software like Microsoft Office. I remember the first time I did a Powerpoint I thought it was the coolest thing and I could not wait to show my parents. During this time, I had to take a State Computer Efficiency Test.
As I moved up into High School, knowing how to work a computer was just a normal part of the schooling experience. The Technology and Business Courses I took taught me how to make websites, power points, emails, etc. Even though I felt like I gained a lot of experience from my schooling, it was nothing compared to what students have today.