Dealing with the technologically illiterate

[ender land]

honestly, I think this explains most of my "computer knowledge" - http://xkcd.com/627/

I was working once and a computer died, and started beeping on startup. I could have called IT and waited hours for them to do something or google the problem. Turned out the computer had a bad video card (which is what google told me from the beeping pattern).

Understanding how to find information on google is so hugely important to being a good computer problem solver I think.

 

[impulse462]

My parents are an example of this. Being technology illiterate is one thing, but then they expect me to fix things on their computers constantly, etc.

While I am not complaining, because they provide me with a roof over my head (even though I'm in college), money, and countless other things, its just the unwillingness to not learn how to use technology that really irks me.

You can't teach someone who doesn't want to learn.

 

[MultiM]

My issue with some tech "idiots" is they think they know what they are doing, and even pride themselves on their skill, yet in reality they haven't a clue. Even though they need the computer on their desk for work, they refuse to properly learn the software. I get 2-3 times as much work done because I know the shortcuts on all my programs, but I'm no computer wiz.

While on the topic (sort of) is cell phones. Just because you have one doesn't mean it should take precedent over the person with whom you are having a face to face conversation. Drives me nuts when someone's phone rings and I stop existing.

 

[NickZac]

Alcohol.

 

[Apple OC]

My parents are an example of this. Being technology illiterate is one thing, but then they expect me to fix things on their computers constantly, etc.

While I am not complaining, because they provide me with a roof over my head (even though I'm in college), money, and countless other things, its just the unwillingness to not learn how to use technology that really irks me.

You can't teach someone who doesn't want to learn.

Your dad just called ... said you're grounded

 

[bobr1952]

Is it age or something else? I often wonder that--and don't know the answer. I am 58 and have always kept up with technology--and I don't know why I should be considered an exception--or even if I am. I was talking to a friend today (yes in person), same age as me and he does struggle with technology--so maybe time constraints or lack of interest are other factors? I really don't know.

 

[neko girl]

alcohol.

+1

 

[OutThere]

I get really frustrated with the way my father uses the computer. Rather than spending even one second trying to figure something out on his own, he calls me. He's been using the computer for a big part of his work for nearly 20 years now, so I don't think there's any excuse for still making ridiculous mistakes on things he does every day and not being able to solve it. There's some component of learned helplessness, certainly, so lately my response has been "I'm sure you can figure it out", and, *surprise* he seems magically capable of things he never could do before.

There are a number of things—like the concept of folders—that I'm not sure he gets yet, though. It's extraordinarily frustrating, considering he and my mom bought their first computer in 1993 (A Mac Quadra, 33mhz, 8mb of memory, with a 20" monitor, a laser printer and a scanner to the tune of $10,000).