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View Full Version : Do you think users will ever learn?



sandyd
May 30th, 2010, 04:14 AM
I was bogged down at work today, cause aparently one of the newer staff rooms wasn't surge protected... yet... and as a result, everyone there had some issues.

guy walks in and tells me that his cd drive isn't working. so here I am with like 4 computers half-taken apart, and im already getting fustrated because I couldn't find another PSU to math the one in the computer... So I handed him the manual to his computer + a new cd drive, and told him to do it himself. Guy comes back 15 minutes later, says thanks, my cd drive is working again, and hands me back the manual and the faulty cd drive.

How long (if ever) would it take for most consumers to be like this (have the knowledge to, and not being oblivious to how their computer works) ? (I actually hope not, that would make me lose my job :D)

Flaky
May 30th, 2010, 04:22 AM
People are stupid and lack the basic ability to learn anything after they're adults, so never. They'll just be sitting their with their happy stupid faces and their blank stare on their Web 2.0 Social Networking Site while China is running the country.

jerenept
May 30th, 2010, 04:22 AM
By April 4th, 2063.
People don't realise the importance of understanding computers. To most, it is just a 'IE,Word,Powerpoint,excel' device. the popularity of the iPad epitomizes this. People are clamoring for dumbed-down, locked-up devices, and ones that are just 'for style'.

Khakilang
May 30th, 2010, 04:24 AM
They never learn. They expect you to do everything. That's what they pay you for.

cariboo
May 30th, 2010, 04:25 AM
Never, there are some people that are just not equipped to do manual tasks, they may be a genius when it comes to other things, but some people I know should never be let anywhere near hand tools. :)

Shining Arcanine
May 30th, 2010, 04:26 AM
I was bogged down at work today, cause aparently one of the newer staff rooms wasn't surge protected... yet... and as a result, everyone there had some issues.

guy walks in and tells me that his cd drive isn't working. so here I am with like 4 computers half-taken apart, and im already getting fustrated because I couldn't find another PSU to math the one in the computer... So I handed him the manual to his computer + a new cd drive, and told him to do it himself. Guy comes back 15 minutes later, says thanks, my cd drive is working again, and hands me back the manual and the faulty cd drive.

How long (if ever) would it take for most consumers to be like this (have the knowledge to, and not being oblivious to how their computer works) ? (I actually hope not, that would make me lose my job :D)
That was a rare case. Your job is safe because you will likely never see it happen again.

frup
May 30th, 2010, 04:30 AM
It's not that they don't learn, it's that they simply aren't interested. Computers mean a great deal to most of us, the rest of the population just doesn't care.

Keep in mind that you could probably teach an ape to replace CD drives given time, it's not like the population at large can't, they just don't want to.

BoneKracker
May 30th, 2010, 04:51 AM
I was bogged down at work today, cause aparently one of the newer staff rooms wasn't surge protected... yet... and as a result, everyone there had some issues.

guy walks in and tells me that his cd drive isn't working. so here I am with like 4 computers half-taken apart, and im already getting fustrated because I couldn't find another PSU to math the one in the computer... So I handed him the manual to his computer + a new cd drive, and told him to do it himself. Guy comes back 15 minutes later, says thanks, my cd drive is working again, and hands me back the manual and the faulty cd drive.

How long (if ever) would it take for most consumers to be like this (have the knowledge to, and not being oblivious to how their computer works) ? (I actually hope not, that would make me lose my job :D)

Consumers could do it if hardware manufacturers made it easy enough. It's really not that hard to replace a drive in a well-designed machine.

The real problem is the diagnosis that something needs to be replaced. Our hardware really isn't engineered to analyze itself and report faults to the extent that end-users can correct them (be it a computer, a car, or a lawnmower). I think this because doing so is economically inefficient. It's more efficient, presently at least, to have a small number of specialized experts who can (with a reasonable amount of training) diagnose and repair problems.

But if our descent into Idiocracy continues, we may have no choice. So I go with the "robots and spaceships" option.

lisati
May 30th, 2010, 04:56 AM
Never, there are some people that are just not equipped to do manual tasks, they may be a genius when it comes to other things, but some people I know should never be let anywhere near hand tools. :)

Now what mischief can I get up to? :) (I'm not so hot on the manual stuff)

One of the nicer things about a community such as this is that whether they realize it or not, everyone has something they can bring.

Yes
May 30th, 2010, 04:59 AM
A car mechanic could say the same thing. I might be perfectly capable of learning how to fix my car when something breaks, but I simply don't care to. I'm not interested and would rather pay to have someone else understand and fix things for me. The same applies for computers, there are people who would just rather use the computer and not learn anything about it.

witeshark17
May 30th, 2010, 05:13 AM
If they really could, I think the OS usage (popularity) charts just might look a bit different... :guitar:

Timmer1240
May 30th, 2010, 06:11 AM
I learn learn and learn some more its fun to know things it makes life so much easier.Im an Hvac installer technician I install maintain and repair systems.I like computers my friends and familys computers go down with malware viruses can figure em out clean em up. do my own plumbing electrical carpentry was working on my deck today nearly finished now!I was a windows user read about Linux tryed it out with live cds then wubi then repartitioned and installed Karmic Im always trying to learn a person can never know enough!Anyways Im still learning Life is school for me!

Queue29
May 30th, 2010, 06:19 AM
Why do you assume people want to learn the ins and outs of one of their appliances? Most people don't give a crap about their computer so long as it works, so when will they learn? Never. They don't care, and there is no reason they should.

sandyd
May 30th, 2010, 06:27 AM
A car mechanic could say the same thing. I might be perfectly capable of learning how to fix my car when something breaks, but I simply don't care to. I'm not interested and would rather pay to have someone else understand and fix things for me. The same applies for computers, there are people who would just rather use the computer and not learn anything about it.
I actually prefer for people to learn basic computer maintenance skills. (up to a level of course). When you know theirs definately something wrong (i.e. in this case, the cd drive was jammed) there really shouldnt be any reason why you couldnt change it yourself. its just like the fact that some people dont know how their lawnmower works, and are supprised that theirs a blade underneath after they get their leg chopped off. really. if you have some basic understanding of how a computer works, and its parts, it isnt hard to remove two screws, pull the drive out, replace them, and continue working. In fact, they would waste less time if they did it themselves. and yes... i wish basic computer maintenance was tought in school or someplace else, instead of that much emphasis being placed on software. people should learn how to maintain ans take care of tools, not only how to use them.

BoneKracker
May 30th, 2010, 06:47 AM
i wish basic computer maintenance was tought in school or someplace else, instead of that much emphasis being placed on software. people should learn how to maintain ans take care of tools, not only how to use them.

They ought to at least be taught how to blow the dust and cat hair out of them once in a while.

TheNerdAL
May 30th, 2010, 06:58 AM
I was bogged down at work today, cause aparently one of the newer staff rooms wasn't surge protected... yet... and as a result, everyone there had some issues.

guy walks in and tells me that his cd drive isn't working. so here I am with like 4 computers half-taken apart, and im already getting fustrated because I couldn't find another PSU to math the one in the computer... So I handed him the manual to his computer + a new cd drive, and told him to do it himself. Guy comes back 15 minutes later, says thanks, my cd drive is working again, and hands me back the manual and the faulty cd drive.

How long (if ever) would it take for most consumers to be like this (have the knowledge to, and not being oblivious to how their computer works) ? (I actually hope not, that would make me lose my job :D)
Will you marry me? :P

I think if people did learn that then a lot of people would lose jobs. :)

But seriously, will you marry me? :P

I hope she replies. :P

BoneKracker
May 30th, 2010, 07:04 AM
Will you marry me? :P
Wouldn't Rosy be jealous?

AcidMoon
May 30th, 2010, 07:09 AM
Sorry to hear about your day lol!
I'm thinking probably never. There must be some kind of linear path with health and safety and operating computers that will just reach an extreme. RSI and VDU outlawed etc...
Besides WIndows 52 will probably just do everything by then. The office admin will be called "Mother" hopefully without the really loud clunking and psychotic aliens ;-)

TheNerdAL
May 30th, 2010, 07:09 AM
Wouldn't Rosy be jealous?

Rosy?

kpholmes
May 30th, 2010, 07:23 AM
Rosy?

ya dude rosy

TheNerdAL
May 30th, 2010, 07:26 AM
ya dude rosy

Who's that?

BoneKracker
May 30th, 2010, 07:29 AM
Who's that?

Rosy Palm :P

kpholmes
May 30th, 2010, 07:29 AM
i have no clue:confused:. just thought it was funny.

TheNosh
May 30th, 2010, 07:31 AM
I actually prefer for people to learn basic computer maintenance skills. (up to a level of course).

you can prefer whatever you want for other people. they're under no obligation to comply with your preferences though.


When you know theirs definately something wrong (i.e. in this case, the cd drive was jammed) there really shouldnt be any reason why you couldnt change it yourself.

if you know there's definitely something wrong (i.e. you'll die if you don't eat food) there really shouldn't be any reason why you couldn't farm it yourself.


its just like the fact that some people dont know how their lawnmower works, and are supprised that theirs a blade underneath after they get their leg chopped off. really.

that doesn't require you to know how the whole mower works, or even how to repair it. that just requires you to know enough not to stick your leg in spinning sharp things.

Ranko Kohime
May 30th, 2010, 07:59 AM
People are stupid and lack the basic ability to learn anything after they're adults, so never. They'll just be sitting their with their happy stupid faces and their blank stare on their Web 2.0 Social Networking Site while China is running the country.
I think it's less a matter of lacking the ability, and more a matter of it being suppressed throughout a decade+ in school.

Legendary_Bibo
May 30th, 2010, 08:04 AM
A car mechanic could say the same thing. I might be perfectly capable of learning how to fix my car when something breaks, but I simply don't care to. I'm not interested and would rather pay to have someone else understand and fix things for me. The same applies for computers, there are people who would just rather use the computer and not learn anything about it.

The difference is that computers are tools and cars are devices. People should know how to use their tools. Granted modern developments for computers make them look more like entertainment devices are what's causing the absolute ignorance of users today.

TheNosh
May 30th, 2010, 08:30 AM
The difference is that computers are tools and cars are devices. People should know how to use their tools. Granted modern developments for computers make them look more like entertainment devices are what's causing the absolute ignorance of users today.

what exactly makes a car not a tool?

blueturtl
May 30th, 2010, 09:36 AM
People just aren't like that.

For most the illusion that things work is enough. That's why I sometimes get a tech support call when someone's system is enough far gone it will no longer start. Nevermind all the terrible things that happened prior to that, the user wouldn't react until the machine stopped booting. I get over there and it's botnet central. The system wasn't starting any more because all the viruses, malware, trojans and what not were no longer getting along with each other.

Scary thing is, it works exactly the same way outside computers too. I am weary when I go to a car dealership because I'd like to be aware enough about a car's internals so they won't pull my leg. I'd like to know enough about the economy and politics to make informed decisions. There just isn't time enough to get to know everything... that's why I suppose we have experts that specialize in narrow areas. You just have to trust the expert.

Most computer users are consumers. To them a computer is essentially a really fancy toaster. Nothing wrong with it until it won't do what they want.

murderslastcrow
May 30th, 2010, 10:11 AM
The whole point of technology is to simplify things. Of course, I do believe that people should be bold and fearless and experiment with new things, so they should understand what they use, but as technology advances, that will become more and more for the sake of novelty than necessity.

I'm afraid to say, but there's just no incentive, especially in America and the UK, for anyone to be anything but lazy to the extent they can get away with it.

So long as we have a society where people are willing to do things for themselves and invest a bit of energy to improve themselves, I think it will happen. It's not something that's reserved for geeks and technicians to understand what you use. Just like you take an auto class, the computer classes today should be more immersive.

gradinaruvasile
May 30th, 2010, 10:49 AM
You should have included in the poll the option "Never". Most of us voted the flying cars etc because never wasnt there. I think the flying cars robots etc will be in the future, but informed users wont.
And im afraid a few years down the road the ones who are knowleadgeable about computers will fall in the uninformed category. Just because computers will be made in that way - no user interaction, just an interface that will permit doing this or that.
BECAUSE USRES (most) DONT WANT TO LEARN. They are content to be able send a mail (and play Solitaire), double click here and there and blame the tech/it guys if something isnt working as they THINK it should (most of these times they have incorrect assumptions). Also, they never ever take the advices regarding viruses, safe browsing etc (oops, i just clicked on a link that was sent by someone i know... lol).

I base this assumption on another car analogy - 15 years back the cars were simple, people who wanted just repaired because of this simplicity. This included troubleshooting and repairing everything regarding engine etc. Mind you, i am from Romania where the local made cars (Dacia) were simple back then. Not many people took them to car service for repairs.
But then the computer-driven cars appeared and that was the end of the ere of home rapairs - a specialised interface (and the knowledge of its workings) is required to interact with the cars computer to make basic interrogations and such. So, most of these people who repaired everything on their old vehicled and use newer cars now are in the category of the users who depend on service for everything.

clanky
May 30th, 2010, 11:30 AM
There will always be people who like to tinker and make things better, there will always be people who like to tinker and blow stuff up, there will always be people who just take their computer to the shop and say "computer broke, u fix nao plz".

As people become generally more computer aware and as computers become more and more a part of daily life I would think that more people will fall into the first (and probably the second) category, but just as there will always be a need for car mechanics and lawnmower repair shops, there will always be people whose only interest in computers is pressing the on button and clicking on the big blue e

fatality_uk
May 30th, 2010, 11:38 AM
The fact is the majority of people could be taught to build a PC from scratch quite easily, the truth is, they don't want to know. At work, their job is not to build/fix PC's, they see they have other stuff to do and quite rightly don't want to be opening up boxes.

CharlesA
May 30th, 2010, 11:38 AM
BECAUSE USRES (most) DONT WANT TO LEARN. They are content to be able send a mail (and play Solitaire), double click here and there and blame the tech/it guys if something isnt working as they THINK it should (most of these times they have incorrect assumptions). Also, they never ever take the advices regarding viruses, safe browsing etc (oops, i just clicked on a link that was sent by someone i know... lol).

This one is pretty much dead on. Most "end users" just want their stuff to "work" and would rather pay someone to get it working for them then screw around and waste hours, days, or weeks trying to get it working by themselves.

The whole car thing is true. I don't know jack about cars, but I'm pretty sure I can change the oil and check fluids and whatnot, but if there is anything seriously wrong with the car, I'll take it to a mechanic since they supposedly know "more" about said cars.

Paqman
May 30th, 2010, 12:30 PM
Never.

I'm an engineer, I find techy things interesting, and pick them up quite easily. I don't expect other people to be the same, because they just aren't interested in the same things I am.

Besides, if everybody was like me, i'd be out of a job.

It's a mistake to sneer at people who can't or won't get their hands dirty. It takes all sorts to make the world go round.

Bachstelze
May 30th, 2010, 12:34 PM
It's a mistake to sneer at people who can't or won't get their hands dirty. It takes all sorts to make the world go round.

This.

/thread

Frogs Hair
May 30th, 2010, 03:37 PM
I think It's fear , I built electronics and many people I worked with were afraid to build their own computers ;
however they would come to work and build computer products for major companies.

sxmaxchine
May 30th, 2010, 03:41 PM
If putting together a pc stay similar to how its done today i dont think it will ever happen. however i think computers will become easier to put together as time goes by.

Shakz
May 30th, 2010, 03:46 PM
I am glad they dont want to learn and choose to be ignorant. I call that job security. Geeks will always be able to find work.

nubimax
May 30th, 2010, 04:09 PM
I built my first computer at 65 years of age. built the second at 68, and the third at 70. computers are a lot easier to build then marine radars. Car engines truck engines gas or diesel no problems. doing that or the transmissions for that matter but I do have difficulties using computers lol but then I am just an old fart that can't learm anything new
at less that is what these new kids on the block keep saying.
M.

Penguin Guy
May 30th, 2010, 04:22 PM
Where's the 'never' option?

People seem to avoid using their brain wherever possible, this isn't going to change.

agnes
May 30th, 2010, 08:31 PM
If a person lets other people (learn to) repair his stuff he can do his own work/study in the meantime... time = money and "don't want to learn computers" != "don't want to learn".
As jobs (seem to) become more specialized and technology more advanced, I think you will only see people relying more on others (specialists) for repairing their home-tools.

bunburya
May 30th, 2010, 08:46 PM
Most consumers will never be like that. Why would they be? Do lawyers moan about their clients not knowing the law themselves? Or teacher and lecturers? Not knowing how to fix a computer is not being stupid or lazy, unless fixing computers is your job. People should stop looking down on people who don't share their particular skillset; unless you actually know everything in the world it makes you a hypocrite, and in any case it makes you look like a highly unpleasant person. I'm very surprised by some of the ignorance and condescension being displayed on this thread.

Oh, and this:

People are stupid and lack the basic ability to learn anything after they're adults, so never. They'll just be sitting their with their happy stupid faces and their blank stare on their Web 2.0 Social Networking Site while China is running the country.

Reminds me of this (http://xkcd.com/610/).

jflaker
May 30th, 2010, 08:51 PM
I hope NEVER! Otherwise I will be out of a job.

jrusso2
May 30th, 2010, 08:58 PM
I was bogged down at work today, cause aparently one of the newer staff rooms wasn't surge protected... yet... and as a result, everyone there had some issues.

guy walks in and tells me that his cd drive isn't working. so here I am with like 4 computers half-taken apart, and im already getting fustrated because I couldn't find another PSU to math the one in the computer... So I handed him the manual to his computer + a new cd drive, and told him to do it himself. Guy comes back 15 minutes later, says thanks, my cd drive is working again, and hands me back the manual and the faulty cd drive.

How long (if ever) would it take for most consumers to be like this (have the knowledge to, and not being oblivious to how their computer works) ? (I actually hope not, that would make me lose my job :D)

If I ever said that to a user they would have fired me. You must work at an easy place.

Paqman
May 30th, 2010, 10:31 PM
People should stop looking down on people who don't share their particular skillset; unless you actually know everything in the world it makes you a hypocrite

Well said.

Timmer1240
May 30th, 2010, 10:46 PM
Its a good thing when folks dont wanna know how to do something your good at it means more $$$$$ in your pocket!In my Job sometimes I gotta be on call I dont like it but if I go to work at night or on weekends I make mucho dinaro!So lifes good I complain too that people should know more but if they did I wouldnt have much work to do!

PhilGil
May 30th, 2010, 11:40 PM
My expectation would be that fewer people will be able to fix their own computers in the future. As technology evolves it typically becomes more complex and specialized; while repairs require increasingly advanced tools and skills.

Just as there are far fewer weekend auto mechanics than there were when I was a boy in the 1960's, I think they'll be far fewer people able to assemble and repair their own computers 10 or 20 years from now. The trend has already begun - I've assembled numerous desktop computers over the years, but I would never attempt to build my own laptop. Or try taking your iPad down to the local computer shop to be repaired; chances are they won't even open it up (and wouldn't have the tools/parts to repair it even if they did).

superarthur
May 31st, 2010, 12:09 AM
To be honest, I may be one of those guys. I am an idiot at hardware, and I use a laptop. (well, you just can't replace things easily on a laptop)
Also, I hate reading long and boring manuals. They are alright if they are instructive with lots of pictures, but not many of them are.