Is there an "average user"? How would you define the term?

[aysiu]

I've seen a few people on the forums say they don't think there is such a thing as an average user.

I'm curious to see how many people here agree with that sentiment.

And for those who disagree, how would you characterize an average user? What sets an average user apart from another kind of user?

I have my own ideas about this, but I'd like the thread to run a bit before I pipe in.

[Rokurosv]

I guess it depends on what computing area, or sector, we're talking about. For example, average user in a datacenter for example might mean one thing and average user in homes might mean another thing.
I think that when people refer to an average user, they think of a person that wants to browse the web, create and view documents, email, chat, etc. without wanting to go deeper, for example program or find how stuff works in their computers.

So I think that average user is a relative term.

[wolfen69]

since i fix computers and frequently make house calls, i think i have an idea what an average user is.

i believe it is someone who does not not know a lot about computers, but uses their computer for daily tasks like surfing, checking email, and occasional games. an average user can not fix their own computer, or reinstall the OS if needed. that's why they call me. not much more to it than that.

[Tristam Green]

So I think that average user is a relative term.

I agree, it is entirely based on the context of who the user is, in relation to his environment.

As a baseline though, I think an "average user" is someone who wants things to just work, i.e. their Internet Connection, their Word processors/spreadsheet software/productivity software, their games and their multimedia software.

[Bart_D]

...i believe it is someone who does not not know a lot about computers, but uses their computer for daily tasks like surfing, checking email, and occasional games. an average user can not fix their own computer, or reinstall the OS if needed. that's why they call me. not much more to it than that.

+1 I agree, well said, but I would add office suite usage and photo printing to your list.

[Eisenwinter]

I disagree with the view of the 'average user" theory.

I have several friends, all of them use Windows, yet some of them know a bit more, some of them know a bit less.

If you put the "average user" theory into practice, they would all be considered average users.

Yet, some know more, and are more comfortable with computers, and some know less, and are less comfortable.

[HermanAB]

As a famous American comedian put it: "You all know how stupid the average American is. Now consider that half of them are stupider than that!"

[lisati]

All that most of the computer users I know want to do is to know how to turn on their computer and use it without worrying (or knowing) too much about the technical details, much as many of us would hop in our cars and drive it without having to be a fully qualified motor mechanic.

[swoll1980]

To me an average user is like an average motorist. Most motorist don't know anything about how their car works, nor do they care. They just drive it. An average user doesn't know anything about the computer. They just use it. If something gets messed up, or if it's not set up to function correctly when you put them in front of it, they will be lost. If you gave me a car that doesn't run I wouldn't know what to do with it(I'm an average motorist) If you give me a computer that doesn't run I will fix it. (I'm not an average user)

[SunnyRabbiera]

For me an average user does these following things:
Internet
E-Mail
Gaming
Home Office (Writer/ Spreadsheets)
Multimedia

Those 5 are what a "average user" feels important to daily use.
A Programmer is not an "average user"
A hacker is not a "average user"
A IT specialist is not a "average user"
A computer systems annalist is not a "average user"
I tend to consider myself an "average user" as I am not a programmer.

[lykwydchykyn]

In my experience, at least when it comes to forum discussions, the average user is whatever you need the average user to be in order to back up your arguments. ;-)

I don't agree with folks who make a dichotomy between "average users" and "expert users" though. I know and work with a lot of people who have quite a bit of computer knowledge out of necessity, even though they are not geeks, programmers, hobbyists, hackers, or any other variation of such. Before I got into IT, I knew a good deal about computer maintenance simply because I relied on a computer for my livelihood and was too poor to hire someone else to fix it. That's what eventually led me to a career in IT, ironically.

[Methuselah]

The average user sticks to routine tasks on a computer, is somewhat afraid of it, and therefore is reluctant to leave his comfort zone.

Everyone starts out clueless then becomes average but the time you spend in that state is dependent on your level of curiosity.
While windows is tailored towards keeping a PC user average (with the particularly curious windows user leaving this box against the subliminal suggestions of the OS) linux basically compels you to stay average for as little as possible.
It is constantly enouraging you to explore the full potential of what your computer can do.

I think that's part of the reason that even a nice dressed up linux like Ubuntu can be somewhat daunting to the 'average user'.
Firstly, it's probably already different from what they're used to and while it comes with training wheels it secretly desires for you to learn to balance.

[Marlonsm]

I'd say the average user is someone who uses the computer daily, knows how to write docs, print photos, burn CDs, install some programs... And if some simple problem(printer is not working, he can't find/open a document...) happens, he might try/know how to fix it.

But it's a relative term. Some users might be really good with something, but average with anything else...

The averarge user might even know how to install an OS if well guided. But I wouldn't say he would configure if well without having to call someone.

From what I've read on other posts, my avg user seems to be more advanced than your avg user. But as it was said, it's a relative term.

IMO:
-Basic user: knows that to open the internet you need to click the blue E and to open Word, the blue W. But if a problem comes in, he hurries to call someone.
-Average user: knows that IE isn't the only web browser and that MS Office isn't the only office suit. Can fix any simple problems that appears, but still need to call someone for most other things.
-Power user: Is the one to be called by the other users.

[tjandracom]

All that most of the computer users I know want to do is to know how to turn on their computer and use it without worrying (or knowing) too much about the technical details, much as many of us would hop in our cars and drive it without having to be a fully qualified motor mechanic.

i'm agree with that.
average users need computer to make their daily tasks easier.

[BXL]

Average user...? I guess that the majority (80%) of computer users are average users but we don't see them since (in this forum) they don't care about computers or the installed OS or "nerd talk"...

[Shpongle]

in my hci (human computer interactions) module we learnt about the three types of user:
1 the novice user
2 the knowledgeable intermittent user
3 the expert user

the "average" user lies in category 2. strong in some areas and weak in others

[BXL]

There is also the enthusiast, a computer user which generally only uses his computer for the job, games, email, internet etc. but who is curious, tries out new things, who knows how to change parts of the hardware but who is no power or expert user.

[MaxIBoy]

The average owner of a computer doesn't know how to use a computer, and is thus irrelevant to this discussion.

The average computer user is someone similar to most of the regulars on this forum

[TwiceOver]

I'd venture to say that 40% never venture outside of Internet/Email. Another 20% add Office type stuff to that and another 20-30% games.

Whatever remaining is a mix of those that think they know more than they do and those that know too much.

[CJ Master]

A IT specialist is not a "average user"


You don't know my school...

[lisati]

The average owner of a computer doesn't know how to use a computer, and is thus irrelevant to this discussion.

The average computer user is someone similar to most of the regulars on this forum

I hesitatingly disagree: the regulars on the forums generally show a greater technical competence than some of the computer users I know, including some family members who have had more training on today's machines than I have.

[chucky chuckaluck]

To me an average user is like an average motorist. Most motorist don't know anything about how their car works, nor do they care. They just drive it. An average user doesn't know anything about the computer. They just use it. If something gets messed up, or if it's not set up to function correctly when you put them in front of it, they will be lost. If you gave me a car that doesn't run I wouldn't know what to do with it(I'm an average motorist) If you give me a computer that doesn't run I will fix it. (I'm not an average user)

i think that's a pretty good definition. i think it's better than defining that user by what they use their computer for.

[BXL]

You don't know my school...

You're talking 'bout script kiddies? ;)

[JohnFH]

There's no such thing as an average user. Average implies a numerical meaning and/or has an associated number with it. Average needs to be more quantified than simply saying an average computer user. I think the word you are all meaning is typical. You can have a typical computer user but not an average computer user.

[gn2]

You can have a typical computer user but not an average computer user.

Even then there's the problem of what "typical" describes as regards computer usage.

For example:

Typical home PC user

Typical business PC user

Typical Linux user

Typical Windows user

etc, the list is endless.

As far as I can see, "typical" or "average" user is just a stereotype.