computer literacy

    Basic skill in use of computers, from the
   perspective of such skill being a necessary societal skill.

   The term was coined by Andrew Molnar, while director of the
   Office of Computing Activities at the National Science
   Foundation.

   "We started computer literacy in '72 [...] We coined that
   phrase.  It's sort of ironic.  Nobody knows what computer
   literacy is.  Nobody can define it.  And the reason we
   selected [it] was because nobody could define it, and [...] it
   was a broad enough term that you could get all of these
   programs together under one roof" (cited in Aspray, W.,
   (September 25, 1991) "Interview with Andrew Molnar," OH 234.
   Center for the History of Information Processing, Charles
   Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota).

   The term, as a coinage, is similar to earlier coinages, such
   as "visual literacy", which Merriam-Webster
   (http://m-w.com/) dates to 1971, and the more recent
   "media literacy".

   A more useful definition from
   (http://www.computerliteracyusa.com/) is:

   Computer literacy is an understanding of the concepts,
   terminology and operations that relate to general computer
   use.  It is the essential knowledge needed to function
   independently with a computer.  This functionality includes
   being able to solve and avoid problems, adapt to new
   situations, keep information organized and communicate
   effectively with other computer literate people.

   (2007-03-23)