People Who Can’t Use Computers
This post originally was going to be about me setting up a Linux server in my home network to serve as media and file storage, intended as a how to for Toastwerks. However, since I realized that it was super easy for me to do, the post would be pretty boring. Instead I’ve decided to rant about some people at work.
I had a discussion the other day with one of the older employees in my department (IT) about the age gap in computer usage at my company. Every employee has to use a computer, so there isn’t any way for them to escape using them – people like to communicate almost entirely through email (which comes with its own set of issues). My observation comes in the form of noticing that the oldest set of employees can only manipulate the computers as far as the exact procedure they were taught. Once the routine is broken, they’re lost. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to try and teach someone to go outside their step-by-step process.
It may seem like that is a pretty cut-and-dry observation about the old people being bad at computers and younger people being good with them, but there is at least one more axis of difference that I’ve picked up on. I’ve come across almost the same number of younger employees who are stuck in their routine. I guess the real separation I’ve picked up on is education level combined with desire to actually learn how to use the machines.
Plus, I’m getting extremely tired of people who call the monitor the computer, and the computer itself either the ‘hard drive’ or the ‘modem’ – especially the modem one. It’s depressing to know that people still have to use those.
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Comments
I like counter-rants – they can calm me down. I do try to be understanding of those who don’t want to learn the ins and outs of computers, but sometimes I can get a little frustrated since my job consists mostly of having to fix the bastard things.
I think we all just hate computers in our own ways!
Really – it boils down to wanting to learn computers. I personally hate the beasts, and I would imagine they sense fear when they stop working because I get too close…
My mother is one of those that has her routine, and get’s incredibly frustrated if she gets out of it – but can you imagine being phased out because you don’t understand these things?
I mean, it’s not really their fault that my video games are played on ‘gameboxes’ it’s just a different way of thinking.
Also, I think we’d all definitely do better WITHOUT interdepartmental e-mails…it’s own set of issues is right…
Sorry, I ranted on your rant – interesting thoughts though!