Some people shouldn't use computers!

[spezticle]

Her: How do I burn a dvd?

Me: Okay so you double click on the icon and... (interupted)

Her: What icon?

Me: The icon for the dvd burning program. Click on applications, then sound and video and (interupted)

Her: you're going to fast where did you find that?

Me: Where did i find what? i haven't done anything yet except move the mouse up to where it says applications.

Her: where did you find applications?

Me: it's always up on the top left.

Her: you're going to fast.

Me: *bangs head against wall*

[ubunterooster]

Do you happen to know my relatives? It seems like it.
http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/lol-045.gif

[KiwiNZ]

Some people shouldn't teach computers.

[Sporkman]

some people shouldn't teach computers.

+1

[murderslastcrow]

Lol, I know how that is. If people insist on using a computer's software, they should learn how to deal with the software.

Just like when you drive a car, you don't have your friend shift gears for you, steer for you, or accelerate for you. You don't tell your friend to activate the parking break or turn off the head lights because, well, it's just too hard for you to think about right now.

They just need to learn to use it. Unfortunately, with Windows a lot of simple features are hidden beneath needlessly complex menus and it becomes something difficult.

So, when they meet an OS like Ubuntu, even though it's simpler, they have to forget about the Windows way of searching through menus and take a day or two to adjust.

But seriously, if you want to use a computer, learn how to use it. Go up to system at the top, click, then move the mouse down to Help and Support and click. Read.

Also, there's the Ubuntu Manual Project. I'm sure that, after a few more decades, computer use will be much more common. Most people, even total non-geeks, know some HTML for the sake of showing pictures to their friends, and if there's a need they'll learn, if they're young.

If people embrace open standards, we are bound for a future of simpler computing, which coupled with the next generation's good attitude towards technology, we probably won't run into so much of this. It's only a matter of time, really, then we'll get more peripherals that provide more problems to solve beyond the desktop metaphor.

[Simian Man]

Some people shouldn't teach computers.

Well said.

[ubunterooster]

Some people shouldn't teach computers.
Seriously, some are insanely irrational when it comes to learning to use computers

[spezticle]

Well said.

maybe i'm not the best teacher. fair enough. but how does one teach someone about computers if moving the mouse pointer across the screen and clicking on something takes serious concentration?

[wilee-nilee]

Seek professional help.

[spezticle]

seriously, some are insanely irrational when it comes to learning to use computers

+1

[OtakuWrath]

Aww.. don't hate on the computer illiterate people.. its frustrating i know.. some people can't even follow a video guided tutorial with step by step instructions.. its a thankless job helping people with their computer. we do it because we have the ability.. :biggrin:

[JohnnyC35]

I always liked the question (at least before Win7)
"Where's the Start button"
... "It's on your screen. ... It says Start"
"But where is it"
... " Usually in the bottom left corner of the screen."
... .. ... "Oh there it is, now what did you want me to do?'
... "Click on it."

Loved this question when I was working Comcast tech support.
"Hey man, is there a way to get this website porn off my computer? My wife will be gettin off the plane in a couple hours"
Simply fixed but still funny.

Right up there with "Why is my cable tv bill so high?"
"You ordered 5 porn movies"
"Excuse me I did not! I love god and don't look at that trash!"
"Well whoever used (insert box # here) ordered them"
Yells *expletive* calls son down.

I think that every piece of technology should come with the appropriate For Dummies book.

[spezticle]

Aww.. don't hate on the computer illiterate people.. its frustrating i know.. some people can't even follow a video guided tutorial with step by step instructions.. its a thankless job helping people with their computer. we do it because we have the ability.. :biggrin:

i think it gets to a point where it's beyond computer illiterate or not. there's seriously a limited ability to learn anything new at all and that's the frustrating part.

[alphaniner]

i think it gets to a point where it's beyond computer illiterate or not. there's seriously a limited ability to learn anything new at all and that's the frustrating part.

I think for most people it's not so much inability but an improper attitude towards learning, and a history of that attitude being reinforced.

I blame the public schools, but then I blame them for most everything... :P

[ubunterooster]

I think for most people it's not so much inability but an improper attitude towards learning, and a history of that attitude being reinforced.

I blame the public schools, but then I blame them for most everything... :P
I blame the people themselves, some of those I think of have never been to a school class

[spezticle]

i think for most people it's not so much inability but an improper attitude towards learning, and a history of that attitude being reinforced.

I blame the public schools, but then i blame them for most everything... :p

+1

[dtfinch]

My favorite moment was a user asking how to move a file, and demonstrating what they wanted to do by dragging their finger across the screen from where the file was to where they wanted it on their desktop as they asked.

They had already been at the company for 10 years, the entire time in front of a Windows desktop.

[Spike-X]

I think for most people it's not so much inability but an improper attitude towards learning, and a history of that attitude being reinforced.

I blame the public schools, but then I blame them for most everything... :P
No, it's not the school's fault if people are too stupid to want to learn anything. If people are throwing up their hands and going, "Oh, it's too hard! I'll never be able to do this!" before they even start, so that they have an excuse to not even have to try, it's nobody's fault but their own.

[alphaniner]

No, it's not the school's fault if people are too stupid to want to learn anything. If people are throwing up their hands and going, "Oh, it's too hard! I'll never be able to do this!" before they even start, so that they have an excuse to not even have to try, it's nobody's fault but their own.

In the end, each individual is responsible for his own fate. But the environment in which one is raised has a profound effect, and I think the direction education has been moving in for the last few decades is deleterious.

[magmon]

Seriously, some are insanely irrational when it comes to learning to use computers

A+ Computer repair. Took it second semester of last year. Worst computer class ever hacked together. We spent two class periods learning how to use the start menu of windows xp. The START MENU. Another class period was wasted on learning windows explorer as well. (Side note, our classes are in 90 minute blocks).

Edit- I feel compelled to respond to this post too.


No, it's not the school's fault if people are too stupid to want to learn anything. If people are throwing up their hands and going, "Oh, it's too hard! I'll never be able to do this!" before they even start, so that they have an excuse to not even have to try, it's nobody's fault but their own.

People rise to the level of expectation. My school's district recently LOWERED graduation requirements. You can now fail SIX classes throughout your highschool career and graduate on time. That is outrageous. People don't try because they don't have to try. However, intelligence does have an impact on not trying. Without any extra effort or time, I maintain a 3.0. Most people at my school manage a 2.0 or lower. Education cannot be simply will, because without a bit of a push and the occasional kick in the a**, people will not achieve.

[ubunterooster]

A+ Computer repair. Took it second semester of last year. Worst computer class ever hacked together. We spent two class periods learning how to use the start menu of windows xp. The START MENU. Another class period was wasted on learning windows explorer as well.
super key for start or super+E for Explorer.

They make it so hard with all the moving of the mouse; teach everyone keyboard shortcuts. jk jk

[kamaboko]

I'd like to read her version of the conversation.

[meoconvn38]

^^ :lolflag:, for me , I will using X-->Y--->Z ....
or video , if she or he were me , at beginning I can't do anything

[wilee-nilee]

In the end, each individual is responsible for his own fate. But the environment in which one is raised has a profound effect, and I think the direction education has been moving in for the last few decades is deleterious.

It would be nice if this were true but this is called a folk myth by anthropologists. There is no semblance to reality in the statement, that is why there are laws that protect marginalized groups, and affirmative action. If a environment you grow up in is unfair to begin with no matter where you go, then it is going to play out with this environment unless you have the ability to surpass it, with skills that bypass the inherent flaws of social norm acceptance.

Personally I find this thread being offensive from the get go with the he she reference it rings of sexism at the least. But I am assuming the OP is a He.

[j7%<RmUg]

oh wow, this is a good thread.

My family are incredibly hopeless with computers, well everyone except me and my brother.

Im not talking your typical uselessness, im talking about them not knowing how to do basic tasks without my help, even though they have been using a computer since 1995.

I dont bother with them anymore, it wastes away so much of my time that i just leave them to it and automate an XP install over the network every few days when they break it.

[ubunterooster]

oh wow, this is a good thread.

My family are incredibly hopeless with computers, well everyone except me and my brother.

Im not talking your typical uselessness, im talking about them not knowing how to do basic tasks without my help, even though they have been using a computer since 1995.

I dont bother with them anymore, it wastes away so much of my time that i just leave them to it and automate an XP install over the network every few days when they break it.
Use Clonezilla to copy the finished install; this is faster

[magmon]

See, after I edited my post to say something intelligent, a whole new page has been born xD.

Speaking of hopelessness with computers, my mom asked if it was going to break her new computer if she used it while I was setting it up. All I was doing was moving her documents and music.

[j7%<RmUg]

Thanks for the suggestion ubunturooster, i may just do that, even though its already pretty automatic.

[vrkalak]

I find this same sort of thing here ... in the Forums.

People will say, "I'm not new to Linux, I've been using Ubuntu for a few months, but how do I .... or ... Where do I find Synaptic ?"

"Can I upgrade from Mint6 to Mint9 without doing a fresh install. And can you give me step-by-step instructions?"

[alphaniner]

Moved post to PM.

[JohnnyC35]

oh wow, this is a good thread.
I dont bother with them anymore, it wastes away so much of my time that i just leave them to it and automate an XP install over the network every few days when they break it.

LOL OMG! that's horrible! At least with my circle I only have to do reinstalls every few months. I even tried to hide Ubuntu on their computer. I made it look like Windows 7. They didn't like it. It was "too hard to use", when I asked what was too hard to use they (actually a she but w/e) said everything was. so we are back to Windows until the next virus onslaught.

[magmon]

Edit- Side tracked. Forget this post existed.

[KiwiNZ]

The quality of mercy is not strained
it is twice blessed

But this thread is not

Its closed