I don't want to answer for electric Zombie, but for my two cents worth I will have to agree with him...Too many times have I witnessed a diver (newbie and veteran alike) have a 'puter crap out on them. Sometimes this happens before the dive, between dives, or after. The basic knowledge that should have been taught VERY thoughly in any class (doesn't matter which agency) should be tables. Yes a computer does all the math for you, yes I dive a 'puter, but I still double check everything with tables.
Know, sometimes I have the tendacy of being a little preachy , especially when it comes to agencies or instructors trying to convince thier students that diving is completely safe...this couldn't be further from the truth. Being under water is the ultimate in IDLH atmospheres (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health), you run out of gas, you are gonna be breathing water, making an emergency accent, sharing air, etc... this isn't the best of things to happen. We can learn to dive safer/safely, but you can't eliminate the hazards associated with it.
Just because you aren't a "tekkie" doesn't mean that you shouldn't be knowledgeable in tables.
I hope I am not coming off stern with this post, that isn't my intent, just throwing in my two cents in from things I have learned...alot the hard way.
Anyways, dive safe, learn your tables forward and backwards for this will just make you a more knowledgable diver in the end.
Thanks for listening, hope it didn't sound like a rant.
Chuck