Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
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Listen to the podcast: The most frustrating
thing I hear.... 
Transcript
This is Leo Notenboom for askleo.info.
As you might expect, I hear a lot of things as people ask me questions. I get lots of different scenarios, problems and complaints, as well as excuses and justifications.
There's one statement that stands out as the most frustrating. I just shake my head when I hear it, and it sometimes makes me wonder if there would be any point in answering whatever question is being asked.
That statement?
I'm stupid when it comes to computers.
Why does this bother me so much? Because the folks who say it have already been defeated - by themselves. Their "I can't" attitude will get in the way of everything they might try. They'll stop trying to learn, because they don't believe they can. They'll give up trying to do things, because they don't believe that they're capable.
What a waste. What a terrible waste.
The secret that they won't accept is simply that it's likely that it's only their attitude that's stopping them. If that weren't in the way, they could learn, and they could do.
Computers can be damned complicated, and yes, they often are very frustrating, but that's not your fault.
Sadly, it's when problems arise I see person after person giving up, and putting the blame on themselves.
Unfortunately our fast-paced society has set up some really high standards: if you don't "get" this stuff instantly, you must be stupid. That couldn't be more wrong, particularly when it comes to computers. In fact, there's a good chance that the faster you think you're getting it, the more likely you are to be getting it wrong.
Stepping back and calmly and patiently taking a little time to understand what was happening, how things work, and how things interrelate is a worthwhile investment. Particularly if spending some time understanding some basic concepts can save you hours of frustration later on. In fact, it's one of the reasons I rarely give "just the answer" without a little gentle education as to why something might be the way it is. That little bit of knowledge might help you figure out similar situations on your own, and with less frustration, in the future.
One of the most rewarding comments I get from time to time are from senior citizens who've resolved an issue and have gotten themselves online, perhaps enabling a new level of communication between the generations.
One of the saddest thoughts are all those out there who think that they're "too dumb when it comes to computers" who could have been doing the same if not for that attitude in the way.
Please, don't let that be you.
I'd love to hear what you think. Visit askleo.info and enter 11721 in the go to article number box to access the show notes, the transcript and to leave me a comment. While you're there, browse over 1,200 technical questions and answers on the site.
Till next time, I'm Leo Notenboom, for askleo.info.
Article C3106 - August 4, 2007
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
I fully agree. From time to time I voluntarily train people who like to start working on a PC, telling them the very basics of a computer, how to work with Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer and Outlook Express. I am 64 years of age and I have been working with computers since the intro of the Commodore Vic 20 (1980 or so).
It is also my experience that most elderly people start telling me on beforehand that they probably will not remember all the actions and keystrokes needed to work on a PC. The most common reaction is "I am to old to...".
My answer is then: It am probably older than you are (not in all cases ;-))and I am also forgetting things. But when I forget it has more to do with the fact that I am not really interested in a particular program or that I am hardly using it.
So my opinion is that once people have actually seen and experienced what they can do with a computer, they will start learning and liking it.
Another common excuse is that they probably don't need a computer. My answer is then: Yes, you could do without a computer but what are you going to do when you:
- want to get into more contact with your children who live far away
- want to have a downloadable user guide for your newly bought photo camera (or other product)
- don't want to do your regualar banking busines the old way
- want to have an instant weather forecast
- can only book on-line for that favourite concert, etc. etc.
And please don't forget - all new things you have to learn can make you feel uncomfortable until the moment you see what you can actually do with your newly acquired knowledge.
Posted by: Peter Ruijtenberg at August 12, 2010 5:14 AMAnother comment I get is that the relatives (husband, children etc.) of my students do not take sufficient time to teach and explain the behavior of a computer. Besides they are of opinion that the keystrokes they make are to fast for them (and they are probably right). Once the 'student' asks to slow down the way they are demonstrating the computer functions the commonly heard aswer is (after a deep sigh...) that they do not understand a thing of computers, making them really feel to old for that !
As a last remark I like to say that another problem lies in the fact that many companies - especially sales companies - are telling that Windows is so easy and that even a kid can learn it. When teaching these people I myself experience more and more that Windows is definitely not that easy. Look what a starter has to understand when they have to find and make subdirectories in Windows Explorer seeing all those internal drives; how to properly burn a CD; how to react on Windows updates and firewall messages, etc. Besides that I often notice that Windows in many cases changes from a native language (Dutch) to English statements which is also not so helpfull for those people making them indeed feeling 'old'.
The good thing is that finally - after a couple of weeks - they come back and proudly tell me that they made their first e-mail to their grand children or that they found a particular helpfull item in google etc., which clearly shows that they are getting interested in the things you can do with a PC.
As a consultant in computers, one thing I hear all the time is "I don't know anything about computers but my " brother|nephew|wife or what have you "really knows about them". Then I talk to the brother|nephew|wife or what have you and find that they don't know anything either !!!
Posted by: Carlos Coquet at August 25, 2010 10:52 PMThe fact is that many overestimate how much others know, that there is an overwhelming amount to be learned, and that most of us don't know anything compared to the volume of information that exists to be known. However, what I tell people is that computers are here to stay, like the wheel. So, you either get on the bus or are left behind. Once on the bus, look behind not ahead !! If you start learning just one thing about computers each day, when you look "back" at the end of the year you will find you now know 365 things that you did not know before and you will feel a sense of accomplishment.
If you compare yourself to those who have been in the field for decades, you will always find your progress disappointing. But if you concentrate on what you have accomplished since starting, you will always be pleased. (Then again, if you are so pleased that you stop learning one thing a day, look around and perhaps it will be depressing enough to make you go back to the one-a-day formula !!!)
My experience working with computer newbies is that overall intelligence has little to do with how well they take on board basic concepts. Plenty of intelligent people have huge problems with technology, even those who aren't hampered with poor self-expectations. There really does seem to be a knack, and some people pick it up quickly, while others labour away with no sign of the lightbulb switching on. I've learned to stop second-guessing people.
Posted by: Archi at September 14, 2010 9:29 AMMy IQ has been tested to be 90 (that's on the low end of the "normal" scale) and yet I didnt have any trouble with some computer stuff that people with IQs of 120-or-so had.
Posted by: Me at September 14, 2010 10:36 AMWorking with computers come fairly easy to me. But my parents couldn't get it. Whatever it is! I think people are made to feel stupid because working with computers has no logic to it. That is, if you don't understand the basic concept you won't ever be able to understand what is happening. When something goes wrong they are so frustrated with what just happened they don't know where to begin.
Posted by: Michael Moseley, Sr. at December 29, 2010 5:09 PM