On Sunday 12 Jan 2003 1:30 pm, et wrote: > On Saturday 11 January 2003 07:02 am, DAVID.W.BEAN wrote: > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Anne Wilson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2003 11:54 AM > > Subject: [newbie] A HowTo for Everything > > > > > > I seem to have lost Stephen's original post on this, so perhaps he'd post > > the > > link again. Anyway, I did read it, and interesting reading it made. For > > those who didn't see it, it concerns the reasons for the lack of women in > > computing in general and linux in particular, and what can be done about > > it. This group is unusual in not falling into just about every trap on > > the list. > > > > Two things that have really bugged me from time to time - > > > > My husband, being totally uninterested in computing but kind hearted, > > from time to time has taken me to computer shows - where I was usually > > looking from the point of view of our small business. I would ask a > > serious question, and the rep would immediately turn to David to answer. > > This is not > > an isolated example, it happened over and over again. > > > > The other thing is that, womanlike, when I have a problem I want to > > discuss it. By verbalising it I often see the way out of the problem, > > but if I don't, I want further discussion that will help me learn. I am > > sure it is with the best of intentions, but the truth is that if this is > > in front of a computer the man (and it is always a man - because there > > are so few women interested <g>) takes over the keyboard and just does > > it. I have learned nothing, because it happened quickly and without > > explanation. With no prior > > unix experience I tried to learn linux about three years ago, thinking my > > son-in-law could help me, but I soon gave up, largely because of this. > > > > I think I would probably have given up again, if it were not for this > > list - so thanks, folks, for your patient explanations, even when it has > > taken two or three goes to make me understand what's happening. > > > > Anne > > the most intresting thing is, in business, I am willing to bet, that more > Females spend more time in front of computers (inputing data) than men. > Assomeone that started BBS "chatting" in 1992, I found back then that there > were more women than men that could type fast enough to chat with. By the > time the "WEB" had come around to everyone, the balance had changed, more > guys (and perves) had found their way to the keyboard. I still think that > women make up the bulk of computer USERS.
I think you're right there. But again, it comes down to the fact that women use computers to achieve a particular end. There are fewer women who, like me, have a fascination for the whole business of computing. So if we want more women in computing we have to tie it in to personal satisfaction. Anne -- Registered Linux User No.293302
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