Todd Walton wrote:
On 5/21/07, Paul G. Allen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
When was the last time most home users installed *any* OS? Most users
never see an installation and don't even know what the phrase "Install
the operating system." means.
I've never met any computer user who didn't understand me when I said
"install Windows". I agree that "operating system" usually takes some
explaining.
Most users can't even use a web browser let alone do an OS install, no
matter what the installation program looks like.
Many home users can't install an office suite either.
I have a feeling you're not giving as much credit as is due. Maybe
it's geek elitism, or maybe it's frustration from too many bad
experiences. But fear plays more of a role in non-computer proficient
people's minds than not knowing. When I install something for
someone, half the time I'm just providing them the comfort of having
someone knowledgeable do it. They would know how to do it themselves.
-todd
Not necessarily. I've attended classes with seniors (people of my age)
with no prior experience, embarrassed into trying to "learn computers"
by their grandchildren, people who never learned to program a VCR, who
were totally inept and clueless. I've also attempted to provide support
for people for whom I had to explain what a monitor was about every ten
minutes, people incapable of capturing the concepts involved. Fear is
there, true, but so is ignorance and inability.
One of my more charming experiences was supervising a Pakistani
programmer who was a devout, almost fanatical, Shiite. When somebody
brought me a program they considered idiot proof, I'd have Sultan test
it and, usually, break it because no rational programmer could
anticipate the wacky things he'd try.
James
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