People not "in tune" with technology

[Eri]

Growing up, at least 2/3rds of the people I "knew" in school, and or anywhere, could not operate a computer at a self-reliant state. This includes, parents, siblings, friends.

I've noticed that the same thing is still going on, people in late middle school, high school, and certainly even college cannot functionally run a computer.

No, I don't consider turning it on and using the web browser and using Microsoft Word to be functional.

People still can't "type", I see tons of people pecking the keys. 20, 30, 40 words per minute.

Is this not embarrassing as hell? Apparently not to most people, I get the impression none of them understand the importance.

This is just computers. People still spell blu-ray with E. People still use passwords like "happy".

There is something to be said if you of a certain older age and find it difficult, but beside that, where is everyone else's excuse?

I just find it all so absurd and nothing is being done and no one seems to care that no one can operate one of the most important tools humanity has at even a basic level.

 

[Vault101]

eh...well its not like *most* need to use anything other than word and the websbrowser for 99% of their needs

whats a level you would define as acceptible?

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

Runescape taught me how to effectively type, not some crummy school half witted "Computer game" program. So I don't have much room to talk on the typing manner.

I have this theory that if you teach people in a fun, addictive manner, you can actually teach them effictively. But, I'm off topic.
Yes, many people hardly know how to use the basic functions of their PC, but it just isn't exactly a burning necisity to know every little detail.
Most people's heads will explode if you ask them how much RAM they have, or what brand of processor they have.

 

[Vault101]

Runescape taught me how to effectively type, not some crummy school half witted "Computer game" program. So I don't have much room to talk on the typing manner.
.

I never learned to touch type, and I think I'm doing ok

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

Runescape taught me how to effectively type, not some crummy school half witted "Computer game" program. So I don't have much room to talk on the typing manner.
.

I never learned to touch type, and I think I'm doing ok

Well, my need came from not being able to see what my contact was saying and seeing the keyboard at the same time, so it kind of sparked from necesity. At first glance, touchtype seems utterly stupid, but you kind of get used to it. I can effectively type words in total darkness with great accuracy, but beyond periods and commas, I really need to see the location on the keyboard. Right now, my room is completely dark besides my moniter, and I have to hold the keyboard up to the screen to see where numbers are without taking a blind shot.

My school made us type with orange covers on so we'd have to touchtype. We were in second grade.
Catholic school dicks.
Oh yeah, school, I still only use the left shift key. Fuck the right shift key! Fuck the system!

 

[Mr. GameBrain]

I do get frustrated that people keep coming to me with all their computer related problems.

But its not exactly the end of the world, though...

(As for typing. I'm not great. Only about 45-50 wpm. Not bad considering I don't touch type, and I have to keep going back and fixing my typing errors (I see them straight away), but yeah, I feel pretty bad that I type slower than my barely literate brother! XD)

 

[TWRule]

I don't see this is all the grave of a problem. Yeah, it's getting harder for people to operate in modern society without basic computer operation skills, but that's incentive enough for them to learn. I taught my father all the basic functions of word processing, email, web browsing, etc. in a matter of hours; he practiced on his own, and now he's at least as competent as the average person my age. He wouldn't have bothered if his work didn't require it though. Honestly, I don't see much wrong with that. It's a tool like any other; a very versatile tool, yes, but we're far from powerless without it.

 

[krazykidd]

I'm one of those people . That's why i pay people like you to fix problems of my computer . I don't know what RAM is . I don't know anything about processors or graphic cards . I don't know how to open or close a port . I don't know how to use any programs or anything

Incidentally , i am a consol gamer .

Would it be usefull to learn these thing? Sure . Is it necessary? No . I honestly don't perticularlly care about anything about how computers work . I use mine for surfing the web and that's it . Too much of a headache for me . If other people want to learn , more power to them , but i couldn't care less .

 

[Eri]

eh...well its not like *most* need to use anything other than word and the websbrowser for 99% of their needs

whats a level you would define as acceptible?

It's obviously not a hard and fast definition but if you don't know what "computer drivers" are, you are obviously doing it wrong. And I know 2/3rds of people around don't know what those are. Just things like that.

I'm not even asking for them to know how to do a lot of things, but people don't even know basic terms.

It's especially bad trying to talk to people about modems/routers. God help me, anyone who has ever asked me for help with those says my "router isn't working". Inevitably they end up meaning their modem and didn't even know the two different boxes weren't doing the same thing.

Just basic terms that everyone should know.

Computers run cars to nuclear power plants, it's kind of a big deal.

And again, this is just computers, don't get me started on people who ask things like "Can my dvd player play blu-rays?"

 

[Tanis]

I'm currently an IT major and as soon as 'family' (READ: Anyone who's friends/family with my friends + my own screwed up family) found out about it...

Well, there's a reason why I monitor my phone now.

I've told you three times to stop using IE when you're looking up 'work stuff' (READ: porn, lots of porn) and I'm not gonna waste a hour or more of my time trying to get a virus off your damn computer for no pay.

 

[aba1]

Growing up, at least 2/3rds of the people I "knew" in school, and or anywhere, could not operate a computer at a self-reliant state. This includes, parents, siblings, friends.

I've noticed that the same thing is still going on, people in late middle school, high school, and certainly even college cannot functionally run a computer.

No, I don't consider turning it on and using the web browser and using Microsoft Word to be functional.

People still can't "type", I see tons of people pecking the keys. 20, 30, 40 words per minute.

Is this not embarrassing as hell? Apparently not to most people, I get the impression none of them understand the importance.

This is just computers. People still spell blu-ray with E. People still use passwords like "happy".

There is something to be said if you of a certain older age and find it difficult, but beside that, where is everyone else's excuse?

I just find it all so absurd and nothing is being done and no one seems to care that no one can operate one of the most important tools humanity has at even a basic level.

You do realize a good chunk of the worlds population doesn't even have a computer let alone access to a computer right?

 

[Eri]

Growing up, at least 2/3rds of the people I "knew" in school, and or anywhere, could not operate a computer at a self-reliant state. This includes, parents, siblings, friends.

I've noticed that the same thing is still going on, people in late middle school, high school, and certainly even college cannot functionally run a computer.

No, I don't consider turning it on and using the web browser and using Microsoft Word to be functional.

People still can't "type", I see tons of people pecking the keys. 20, 30, 40 words per minute.

Is this not embarrassing as hell? Apparently not to most people, I get the impression none of them understand the importance.

This is just computers. People still spell blu-ray with E. People still use passwords like "happy".

There is something to be said if you of a certain older age and find it difficult, but beside that, where is everyone else's excuse?

I just find it all so absurd and nothing is being done and no one seems to care that no one can operate one of the most important tools humanity has at even a basic level.

You do realize a good chunk of the worlds population doesn't even have a computer let alone access to a computer right?

That doesn't change its importance. And sure, they have a reason they don't know any of this. I'm not talking to them obviously.

 

[Vault101]

snip

I sort of do it half and half..glancing at the keyboard for a second or two...because I did alot of typing stuff...like runescape, incidently

[snip

up untill recetnly I didnt know what a driver was......and I was PC gaming too

 

[JesterRaiin]

Is this not embarrassing as hell?

Not at all. You see Amigo, this "technology" of ours is just a passing phase. During our lifetime plenty of things will change. New devices will emerge with new ways to operate them. I predict that 20-30 years from now on, the traditional model (keyboard and pointing device) will become obsolete, replaced by something else. Along with our current IT skill set you're so proud of.

So, enjoy while you still can. ;]

where is everyone else's excuse?

Lack of practice ? Plenty of "tech savages" have to deal with things that are real resource eaters and often they lack enough time to study computers a little, or will to do it, because they are too tired. Also : laziness. ;]

 

[Bagged Milk]

You don't necessarily need to be "computer smart" to know how to use computers, really. All you really need is to know how to problem solve and use google.

Most people just get overwhelmed by computers just because they are "complex and scary and everything you do slows down your computer and everything is a virus and everyone else on the internet is a pedophile/rapist/hacker"

Although what bugs me is that people feign ignorance about computers just because it's not "cool" to know about them (even though they brag about how "nerdy" they are).

I used a lot of "quotation marks" in this "post!"

 

[Eri]

You don't necessarily need to be "computer smart" to know how to use computers, really. All you really need is to know how to problem solve and use google.

Google is in itself, a bit of a skill. One that many, of course, don't know how to do but should know. Need proof? Look at Yahoo Answers. *cringe*

Is this not embarrassing as hell?

Not at all. You see Amigo, this "technology" of ours is just a passing phase. During our lifetime plenty of things will change. New devices will emerge with new ways to operate them. I predict that 20-30 years from now on, the traditional model (keyboard and pointing device) will become obsolete, replaced by something else. Along with our current IT skill set you're so proud of.

So, enjoy while you still can. ;]

[

Those will still be computers

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

You don't necessarily need to be "computer smart" to know how to use computers, really. All you really need is to know how to problem solve and use google.

Google is in itself, a bit of a skill. One that many, of course, don't know how to do but should know. Need proof? Look at Yahoo Answers. *cringe*

Yahoo answers creates a nice feedback loop with Google, though. I've had lots of successful google searches that ended with me finding an identical question on Yahoo answers. In fact, a lot of questions I wind up wording so Google will either send me there or to a discussion forum.

 

[FalloutJack]

-Quoted-

I'll lay it on the line.

We can't help that some people, even many people, are fucking idiots. Here we are in the year 2012 and, sadly, no sign of flying cars or entertainment holograms...but it's not a bad world insofar as technological development is concerned. It's always the people that are lacking, though. They never seem to quite click, sometimes. Something, I dunno, prevents a proper connection to stay with those of us who are more savvy of the advanced world.

I would wish for tech support for humans, but somehow I think I'd get the same deal of "Your call is very important to us! Have you checked to make certain your {INSERT NAME HERE} is plugged in?". I'm afraid that some of the people in charge of helping those who need help are idiots too. Yes, OF COURSE it's plugged in, switched on, and certainly running up until boink happened! Stop reading from the script and say something USEFUL! My knowledge of computers is not quite at the level of my brother's, who repairs them from time to time, but I fear the knowledge I DO have eclipses that of some people in charge of rendering aid.

So, we return to dumb people. Some were just not meant for technology. My parents are pretty much the people you describe, unable to use these things properly, and I have to tell them several times what to do or how to fix the immediate conundrum. Hell, my dad had trouble with GOOGLE. If people my age or younger aren't taking to the machines like a baby sucking down milk, that's pretty sad!

 

[Xan Krieger]

Some idiot where my mother works saw one of those "You're computer is infected" messages pop up while surfing the internet so he clicked on it to have it scan. Needless to say the resulting rogue spread throughout the car dealership and I had to go fix it. If people knew how to avoid it life would be so much better.