People not "in tune" with technology

[Gatx]

It annoys me so much when I see students go up to do their presentation, and they need to segue way into multiple internet sources, they just keep opening more and more windows, and then when the computer freezes up they're just like "what?" I had a professor do something similar during his lecture once and I just... man.

 

[Rastien]

Just throwing this out there...

Not everyone is as computer literate as yourselves.

But perhaps they are much better at other things than you, aint no need to look down on them for something your good with.

I have the happy task of working within the IT industry i moved on from home users so i sympathise with how utterly frustrating it can be to deal with them...

How ever, how would you like it for example if you know nothing about cars, i don't have a fucking clue! couldn't change a tyre, i'm not even joking. I would hope the mechanic wouldn't just look down on me or consider me stupid for not knowing how to fix my car.

 

[Pat8u]

sadly I'm only one who knows advanced things about computers in my IT class(Its an elective as well, so its not like they were forced to do it or anything), so when it comes to assessment time have to answer so many questions...(The teacher literally forwards all technical problems to me now because of my habit of not quitting until its fixed...)
anyways yea its gets annoying but you just have to ignore it.

 

[Nightmonger]

Based on the OP the same thing could be said for any relevant pass time/ important part of daily life.
For example I wear t-shirts all the time do I know how to sew/make one? no I don't. Not everyone needs to be as computer literate as we are likely to be on a gaming forum but they may well be as stated before more specialized in other areas. After all humanity wouldn't get very far if we all specialized in one area of expertise to a certain degree while detracting from other vital areas.

 

[manic_depressive13]

If they are able to lead fulfilling lives without knowing how a computer operates, why is it an issue? Most people don't need or want anything more than to surf the web and use Microsoft Word. They probably know how to do things that you don't, yet somehow don't feel the need to be as judgemental about it.

 

[Dandark]

I can usaully use a computer okay but I know nothing about it's hardware. I don't understand any talk of processors or whatever and that hardly seems to be that important, most people just need to be able to use some basic programs like Word and be able to type at a slow pace.

 

[Benni88]

You can see a shift in the way computers/technology are being designed. Creating user friendly interfaces has become the main goal of pretty much every major technology developer. This will make it less important for people to have dedicated "computer education".

The mass majority of people with access to computers only need them for a limited number of reasons, and that will most likely not change.

I think if user friendly design continues, things can stay as they are.

 

[piinyouri]

I can't type.
I peck absurdly fast though.

 

[DoPo]

Do you know how to drive a car and all its parts and can you repair one without (too much) outside help? You know many people don't have a car or even drive but cars and other motor vehicles are really important.

Can you work with electricity? Can you fix the power in your house and I don't mean change a fuse? Do you know how electricity is made and distributed? It's a very valuable tool, you know, and a very dangerous one at that, and you have it around you pretty much all the time.

Do you know how make a book? Lay it out, print it, bind it? There is an enormous amount of books in the world, and it only increases. Books are more than computers.

Ever been in construction work? Can you paint a wall, make concrete, erect the scaffolding, run the power line, or lay down some bricks, and etc?

Do you know medicine? I don't mean "I take aspirin when my head hurts", can you read the ingredients of a random medical good and get a sense of what it does or can you diagnose a random pain in the back by yourself?

Well, come on. I can ask more questions. I somehow doubt you know everything as well as you should. So please, refrain from whining.

Offtopic: CAPTCHA evolved - it asked me which one was the smallest and there was a dropdown of options including Mars, a cabbage and Canada (and various multiples of cabbages - a box, a truckload, 100).

 

[Broady Brio]

Let me compare myself to my friend. He can create websites, run his own-made programs on his computers, port them onto his phone and does almost of his stuff without the need of a Graphical User Interface, up to the point when a GUI is mandatory.
He has the same opinion you have that people should be more computer-literate, but understands that people use them a lot less than he does.

 

[Gabanuka]

Well it varies, I like to think I know what I'm doing when it comes to software but if you begin to talk to me about hardware I have no freaking clue. Seriously some sort of wiki explaining what everything is would help.

 

[Shocksplicer]

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?

Loving the new avatar.

OT: It's just not something that's important to them. I bet that plenty of marathon runners don't understand why the average person can't run for kilometers at a time. It's all perspective.

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

I find it very confusing as well. For all the generations who don't even remember a time without the internet they certainly are computer ignorant. I mean why? I learned on my own with a win 98 home edition... Now days the computers practically teach you what you need to do.

I can understand people not knowing torrents or how to build a computer. But come on at least know how to service the damn things.

Yes just because you drive a car doesn't mean you should know how to replace a starter. But you should at very least know how to check the oil and listen for "bad sounds"

 

[Don Savik]

You just described Apple's consumer base.

The main issue with computer illiterate people is when in front of a computer they lose all logic and reasoning skills. Something about a computer just fries their goddam brain. They can't listen to directions, they can't look for 4 seconds to find an icon or tab or anything before freaking out, they refuse to learn words like "icon" and "desktop" and "tab" because it will make them a nerd or some shit, etc etc. The unwillingness is what irks me, you should never be resentful of helpful knowledge.

If you don't own modern technological devices or are not taking a class/job where you have to use one then I can understand. Otherwise you should learn the basics and be open to knowledge about it. Its just common sense.

Bottom line, people are brain-dead idiots. In America its almost taboo to call someone out on being an idiot, so its kind of hard to express your opinions like these.

 

[MammothBlade]

Well, I don't even approach expert level but I'd say I'm a power user - I know how to set my ports, mount ISOs using Daemon Tools, and upgrade my hardware without too much of a fuss mostly for my gaming needs. Though I'm not too good with the Office suite or Photoshop or web design. I think I could learn easily but I've never had a compelling reason to do so.

It's hilarious how little some people know about their computer and end up making things even worse when they try to fix things themselves.

BTW, CTRL ALT AND DELETE IS YOUR FRIEND... MOST OF THE TIME.

 

[Blunderboy]

If you don't use it, you don't develop the skills to use it.
Some people like computers other people don't. It's really not a huge issue. If everyone had the same skill set life would be boring.
Do you have any plumbing skills? I bet you still use the toilet even if you don't.
Can you rewire a plug? Or use a mitre saw? Bake a cake? Raise a barn?

 

[Palademon]

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

I learned to touch type just from using a computer to talk to people. I still only type with my index fingers, though.
When I first noticed I could do it, it was amusing to me that the first thing I could touch type was "That's what she said".
Now I've had sitatuions where people start conversations with me in real life whilst I'm typing and I'll turn my head and talk whilst innately still typing. It's quite funny, it freaks them out.

OP: If anyone can get through life without ever using these skills it can show you how much they need them. They should really only learn them if they plan to use a computer often, or if they're one of those people you see on notalwaysright.com calling up a help centre and not understanding how to double click.