Do you know anyone your age who doesn't know how to use a computer

I've been messing with computers since '95 and have no problems, but I still haven't figured out all the functions of my smart phone yet. Maybe it's an age thing. Or maybe I just bought a cheapo Android phone that's not user friendly!
 
hollydolly said:
This is the reason people won't learn generally speaking, because they have someone who will do it for them. I feel if those who refuse to learn knew that their only way to gain access to the Internet was to learn.. and with the exception of those who ''can't'' for whatever reason.. no-one should do anything for them online, then they'd be forced into getting with the Program
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I really couldn't say no to the little ol' ladies at the DAR or actually any of the people I mentioned. If it was just an acquaintance I suppose I could say "figure it out yourself". But I keep hoping that sharing knowledge will get them motivated to learn more. And hoping, and hoping.....
 

It's becoming less and less common for me to meet older people that qualify as computer illiterate, but my closest friend, who is bright and retired from a very productive career with tons of responsibility, often needs help with her computer. As with most people in that category (not really computer illiterate), I believe she just thinks she is not very good with computers, and it's more of a mental block and lack of confidence issue. This woman thinks I'm good with computers. If she only realized how frustrated I get with mine sometimes, she might understand the learning process involved. I can always solve my problem, but I've gotta say, it's never a happy learning experience, at least not until I solve the problem, and the I start thinking I'm a genius, until I have to solve the next problem that comes along.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I know several people that have no interest in computers, iPhones, etc...

IMO a lot of it has to do with the type of work people did before retiring.

After retiring, it comes down to the cost and fear of failure.

“You never miss what you’ve never had. I never had any other life. I didn’t know any other life.” - B.B. King
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Aunt Bea's take resonated with me because my maternal grandparents were born in the last decade of the 19th century, both the same age and both lived to their mid 90's. All their lives they never had a telephone, a washing machine, grandmother did it all by hand, no central heating, huddled around a coal fire in winter. From memory I think they had a refrigerator, but I can't be sure.

Their only child, my mother, passed away young, so they were like a childless couple for much of their life. It seems that youngsters learn technology quickly and their parents tend to catch on, or that's how it seems to my wife and I. We have no children and therefore no grandchildren to explain or demonstrate, so we simply don't bother. It was a friend's twenty something son who set up my membership here. He even sorted out an email address for me, which was compulsory for membership. Truth be told I can't even remember the email address let alone how to access it. I am so much like my grandparents, the only difference being the technology.

For all that I don't feel left behind. It's true that my smart phone, that I have had for eleven years. has only ever been used for voice and text, and it took the best part of two years before I cracked texting. For correspondence I still write letters and as luck would have it I wrote one this morning.

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That will arrive on Monday, inside is a stamped addressed envelope for them to reply, the postage being paid. I can almost guarantee that they will reply and that they will comment on the handwritten letter, but the point is, they will respond not just leave it in their e-mail box. Tell you what, I might just let you see their reply.
 
I don't know the backstory of the many residents at my Senior apartment complex, but there must be several who have never used a computer.
I would guess the majority of those just never had the opportunity or finances to get involved. They probably depend on family for help.
For some, could be a language barrier.

Whenever we are given instructions via Monthly Bulletins from the Management Office, to go online and complete something, the office is
swamped with confused people.
Setting up monthly rent payments is too much for many, and they end up paying service fees because they can't go online and set up their own payments.

Recently a new mandatory requirement was started for Pet Screening online. It requires answering health and general information about our pets. They want pictures included, and health records attached to the online form.
And if you don't have a pet or service animal, they want that information also.
So many people couldn't understand any of it.
 
caroln said:
I've been messing with computers since '95 and have no problems, but I still haven't figured out all the functions of my smart phone yet. Maybe it's an age thing.
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I've been messing with and working on computers since about 1970, started with cards. And I have figured out almost none of the functions on my "smart" phone. I think its just a generational thing.

Grandkids are a lot better at smart phones or even laptops that I ever will be, however they will never be able to match me with Fortran and card key punch!
 
My SIL was a 'Mission Critical' specialist for HP before his passing, warned me of working with anyone unfamiliar with computers. He did last 2 weeks volunteering at a senior center. After my retirement we moved into a senior housing tract. Made the mistake of giving out my phone nr after telling a few close neighbors that I worked in the tech (IT) field since 1963. I have a list of repeat callers that seem to forget, lose or change their passwords daily, making logons nearly impossible. Also, Never convince anyone to switch OS's!
 
caroln said:
I've been messing with computers since '95 and have no problems, but I still haven't figured out all the functions of my smart phone yet. Maybe it's an age thing. Or maybe I just bought a cheapo Android phone that's not user friendly!
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well I've been using computers since about the same time.. I was fortunate that my husband was extremely Computer literate and Techi, so he fixed my computer when it went wrong, did all the updates etc, . Since he;s been gone I've had to learn to do more technical stuff myself...

I find it more difficult to do stuff on my Iphone than I do on my Mac.. and equally on my Ipad, the technical side of that throws me..

I ask my dd. but she uses Windows and isn't au fait with the Mac, but she's very smart so she usually works it out and explains it to me.. that or I look it up on youtube, and follow instructions..
 
Bonnie said:
I don't know the backstory of the many residents at my Senior apartment complex, but there must be several who have never used a computer.
I would guess the majority of those just never had the opportunity or finances to get involved. They probably depend on family for help.
For some, could be a language barrier.

Whenever we are given instructions via Monthly Bulletins from the Management Office, to go online and complete something, the office is
swamped with confused people.
Setting up monthly rent payments is too much for many, and they end up paying service fees because they can't go online and set up their own payments.

Recently a new mandatory requirement was started for Pet Screening online. It requires answering health and general information about our pets. They want pictures included, and health records attached to the online form.
And if you don't have a pet or service animal, they want that information also.
So many people couldn't understand any of it.
Click to expand...
Exactly my point Bonnie... (y)
 
horseless carriage said:
Aunt Bea's take resonated with me because my maternal grandparents were born in the last decade of the 19th century, both the same age and both lived to their mid 90's. All their lives they never had a telephone, a washing machine, grandmother did it all by hand, no central heating, huddled around a coal fire in winter. From memory I think they had a refrigerator, but I can't be sure.

Their only child, my mother, passed away young, so they were like a childless couple for much of their life. It seems that youngsters learn technology quickly and their parents tend to catch on, or that's how it seems to my wife and I. We have no children and therefore no grandchildren to explain or demonstrate, so we simply don't bother. It was a friend's twenty something son who set up my membership here. He even sorted out an email address for me, which was compulsory for membership. Truth be told I can't even remember the email address let alone how to access it. I am so much like my grandparents, the only difference being the technology.

For all that I don't feel left behind. It's true that my smart phone, that I have had for eleven years. has only ever been used for voice and text, and it took the best part of two years before I cracked texting. For correspondence I still write letters and as luck would have it I wrote one this morning.

View attachment 237526

That will arrive on Monday, inside is a stamped addressed envelope for them to reply, the postage being paid. I can almost guarantee that they will reply and that they will comment on the handwritten letter, but the point is, they will respond not just leave it in their e-mail box. Tell you what, I might just let you see their reply.
Click to expand...
I'm a little bit confused HC... your mother passed away young leaving your grandparents childless... ? How were you Born ?


Also FYI.. I learned to master a computer by myself.. my dd who had learned at school back in the late 80's and early 90's was too impatient to show me how.. so I stumbled along, learning by myself.. no youtube in those days.. then taught what I knew to Hubs, who because he has a techi mind, took it and ran with it.. and taught himself everything there is to know.. even building his own computers as hobby..
 
hollydolly said:
well I've been using computers since about the same time.. I was fortunate that my husband was extremely Computer literate and Techi, so he fixed my computer when it went wrong, did all the updates etc, . Since he;s been gone I've had to learn to do more technical stuff myself...

I find it more difficult to do stuff on my Iphone than I do on my Mac.. and equally on my Ipad, the technical side of that throws me..

I ask my dd. but she uses Windows and isn't au fait with the Mac, but she's very smart so she usually works it out and explains it to me.. that or I look it up on youtube, and follow instructions..
Click to expand...
I have used Youtube also, but have better luck finding answers at a tech forum I belong to. I know some of the techies have to "dumb down" their answers for me, but generally I get enough info to fix my problem.
 
My neighbors go to Florida in the winter and I asked the wife if they have a security camera in their home here so they could monitor the situation while in Florida and she said she doesn't do internet. They are retired.
 
Chet said:
My neighbors go to Florida in the winter and I asked the wife if they have a security camera in their home here so they could monitor the situation while in Florida and she said she doesn't do internet. They are retired.
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that's crazy , it would be very easy to set up. A simple Ring doorbell Camera would also let them see what's going on , just on their phones
 
Aunt Bea said:
IMO a lot of it has to do with the type of work people did before retiring.

\

“You never miss what you’ve never had. I never had any other life. I didn’t know any other life.” - B.B. King
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I think you hit the nail on the head. It's not like computers are a brand new revolution. Workspaces with terminals became more common in the 70's and exploded in the 80's. Those who had jobs that required working on the computers learned to adapt as times changed. Computers have been a part of their lives for 40 plus years now. And when the home PC market exploded in the 90's more and more people jumped on board, even if they had not had previous PC experience. So it isn't a "new" thing. But there are some people who were perhaps in their 50's or 60's at that time who had no interest in learning this "new" thing and that is fine. But many around that age group at that time did take the time and effort to learn . I am guessing many are on this forum :)

What I do not understand are those who seem to think it is a "badge of honor" not to learn the new technology. If a person does not want to take the time to learn how to use a smart phone or a tablet that is fine and in ways understandable. But I do not understand those who think it is something to be "proud" of. One can chose to either hop on board and use the technology that is offered today or not but either choice is not something to be proud of. It's just a personal choice.
 
Bonnie said:
I don't know the backstory of the many residents at my Senior apartment complex, but there must be several who have never used a computer.
I would guess the majority of those just never had the opportunity or finances to get involved. They probably depend on family for help.
For some, could be a language barrier.

Whenever we are given instructions via Monthly Bulletins from the Management Office, to go online and complete something, the office is
swamped with confused people.
Setting up monthly rent payments is too much for many, and they end up paying service fees because they can't go online and set up their own payments.

Recently a new mandatory requirement was started for Pet Screening online. It requires answering health and general information about our pets. They want pictures included, and health records attached to the online form.
And if you don't have a pet or service animal, they want that information also.
So many people couldn't understand any of it.
Click to expand...
It's unfortunate that the managers implemented that sort of requirement for a senior apartment complex, knowing that most are not capable of complying. I think it shows indifference and insensitivity to the residents. I hope they are more helpful and caring with the many people showing up at the office for help!
 
MarkinPhx said:
I think you hit the nail on the head. It's not like computers are a brand new revolution. Workspaces with terminals became more common in the 70's and exploded in the 80's. Those who had jobs that required working on the computers learned to adapt as times changed. Computers have been a part of their lives for 40 plus years now. And when the home PC market exploded in the 90's more and more people jumped on board, even if they had not had previous PC experience. So it isn't a "new" thing. But there are some people who were perhaps in their 50's or 60's at that time who had no interest in learning this "new" thing and that is fine. But many around that age group at that time did take the time and effort to learn . I am guessing many are on this forum :)

What I do not understand are those who seem to think it is a "badge of honor" not to learn the new technology. If a person does not want to take the time to learn how to use a smart phone or a tablet that is fine and in ways understandable. But I do not understand those who think it is something to be "proud" of. One can chose to either hop on board and use the technology that is offered today or not but either choice is not something to be proud of. It's just a personal choice.
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yes that's a very odd thing.. they puff themselves up and announce proudly that they have nothing to do with the internet, in exactly the same way as people who denounce Google Nest or Amazon echo... purse their lips saying that they'll have nothing to do with something inavding their privacy... just the same.. and these are people who already use the internet in many cases.

My very first job after leaving school was an office junior in a Computer, and Punch Car operating Company. It was 1970.. the Computer ( 1).. was in the back office, and it was half the size of the room.. and only 2 men operated it and no-one else was permitted near it , while the ''typing pool' was filled with female Punch tape operators.
 
caroln said:
It's unfortunate that the managers implemented that sort of requirement for a senior apartment complex, knowing that most are not capable of complying. I think it shows indifference and insensitivity to the residents. I hope they are more helpful and caring with the many people showing up at the office for help!
Click to expand...
exactly the same here .. people are always shouting about not getting paper bills .. ''not everyone uses the internet''.. and that's true.. but the fact remains that those who don't use it, know that technology is marching on, and if they need to pay bills they're going to have to learn..
 
caroln said:
It's unfortunate that the managers implemented that sort of requirement for a senior apartment complex, knowing that most are not capable of complying. I think it shows indifference and insensitivity to the residents. I hope they are more helpful and caring with the many people showing up at the office for help!
Click to expand...

They can make people jump thru hoops now, as they raise rent, and make any demands they want ... too many people waiting for rentals.
 
hollydolly said:
yes that's a very odd thing.. they puff themselves up and announce proudly that they have nothing to do with the internet, in exactly the same way as people who denounce Google Nest or Amazon echo... purse their lips saying that they'll have nothing to do with something inavding their privacy... just the same.. and these are people who already use the internet in many cases.

My very first job after leaving school was an office junior in a Computer, and Punch Car operating Company. It was 1970.. the Computer ( 1).. was in the back office, and it was half the size of the room.. and only 2 men operated it and no-one else was permitted near it , while the ''typing pool' was filled with female Punch tape operators.
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My sister is one of those proud computer illiterates. You can almost see her chest puff out while claiming not to be bothered by learning anything related to computers. That's why I said she's a lost cause in an earlier post. However, and this will probably get some people's backs up, I think it's odd that some people seem proud to say they don't watch TV. Is that supposed to be some badge of honor or something?
 
caroln said:
My sister is one of those proud computer illiterates. You can almost see her chest puff out while claiming not to be bothered by learning anything related to computers. That's why I said she's a lost cause in an earlier post. However, and this will probably get some people's backs up, I think it's odd that some people seem proud to say they don't watch TV. Is that supposed to be some badge of honor or something?
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Ha!! You have got my bugbear there. As someone who worked in television and Film and my husband still does... that irritates me a lot!!

We're skilled people bringing entertainment and education into your homes.. very hard work... if you don't like it fair enough, but what's the bragging about, as if it was some dirty little habit ?
 
hollydolly said:
exactly the same here .. people are always shouting about not getting paper bills .. ''not everyone uses the internet''.. and that's true.. but the fact remains that those who don't use it, know that technology is marching on, and if they need to pay bills they're going to have to learn..
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If I bite the dust first, all I can say is "my poor husband". First the lights will go out, then the water will be turned off and the garbage not collected. Then he'll get a registered letter stating the house is being seized by the bank and he has 30 days to get out.

He'll die before ever learning. I've tried showing him how to pay bills on line but his attention span is short when sitting in front of a computer. Hope his brother will take him in. :rolleyes:
 
hollydolly said:
I'm a little bit confused HC... your mother passed away young leaving your grandparents childless... ? How were you Born ?


Also FYI.. I learned to master a computer by myself.. my dd who had learned at school back in the late 80's and early 90's was too impatient to show me how.. so I stumbled along, learning by myself.. no youtube in those days.. then taught what I knew to Hubs, who because he has a techi mind, took it and ran with it.. and taught himself everything there is to know.. even building his own computers as hobby..
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How was I born? Same way as most, but I guess you mean how as in mother being deceased. What I actually said was "Their only child, my mother, passed away young, so they were like a childless couple for much of their life." They lived hundreds of miles from where we lived, so we hardly ever saw them and as I also said, they had no phone. But I did correspond by letter, something I still do, only not to their place beyond the grave. Even though email is available, if I could just get the hang of it, I don't feel bereft for not using it. My phone is forever ringing, friends just give up and know that they can either speak to me or I will call them back.
 
caroln said:
It's unfortunate that the managers implemented that sort of requirement for a senior apartment complex, knowing that most are not capable of complying. I think it shows indifference and insensitivity to the residents. I hope they are more helpful and caring with the many people showing up at the office for help!
Click to expand...
This isn't a senior complex, but new manager wants tenants to pay rent, make maintenance requests, etc., through their 'online portal.' Thought it was kinda amusing younger tenants didn't know what that meant.
 
My brothers and one sister in law, several men from work, several people from my social circle. I think some of it is fear of learning something new and looking foolish, some is stubbornness or fears of privacy loss, and some is laziness or unwillingness to stretch themselves.
 

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