maclir wrote: Wow - a blast from the past.
You're right, I didn't notice the date. ;)

My personal belief is that having "an analytical approach to problem solving" is an inate ability. Just like some people have a natural ability for art, or music, or languages, so is the ability to logically approach problems.
Yup, I guess I believe this too, but I try not to. I fight it and I do make progress, just not at the rate I feel I should.

This can be improved by a good education in science and mathematics...
Unfortunately I really have neither, education was never too high on the list of priorities when I was younger, and I suffer for it now.

...not for the subject matter that is taught, but in the approach to problems.
My approach to problems is what I try to refine each day. My thought process races across the board, I tend to work a little on one project and move to the next and then to the next, etc... If I can actually focus on ONE problem for whole day, I will sort it -- AND be aware of the knowlege I just gained. The trouble is retaining that focus. =')

...look at some of the books on design theory - Knuth's books are a good (but very academic) start - and structured analysis.
I will do that. Thank you very much for the advise.

Cheers.