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

NorthernLight said:
My brother (very intelligent, mid-60s) has never tried to use a computer. He lives off grid. I helped him get his Covid payments via phone, but when they switched to applying online, I told him I couldn't help him any more. He found someone else to help him.

I have a lot of trouble with computers. I've learned to do most of what I need to do. But I seem to be a jinx, and there are things I just can't do.

Some government and corporate websites are poorly designed. I want to cry when I'm suddenly "required" to deal with a landlord or other essential service via a "portal" that won't even let me sign up. I'm not proud of this; it's just a fact.

I don't think there's anything wrong with people who don't want to learn. If they can live happily without computers, hooray for them.
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yes those ''portals'' can be a PITA
 

Packerjohn said:
I got one for free lately but I really hate the stupid thing. I just look at it now and then. Don't intend to follow the addicted zombies who stare at the darn thing all their waking life and then go to sleep with it. I feel there is something better to sleep with then a smartphone but the addicted zombies probably disagree with that statement.
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I have had mobile phones for many years.. I've had a various Iphones for at least 10 years... I have never once slept with my phone. It's always left in my office when I go to bed ..the only time I have it in the same room when I'm asleep is when I'm on holiday and I use it for the alarm on my bedside table

I have never once walked down the road staring at my phone or texting..or even taking a phone call. If I need to make a call or text when I'm out that can't wait until I get home.. I step out of the way of people .. and do it there
 
Alligatorob said:
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!
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My first experience with a computer was when I worked at an atomic lab on Long Island. We went into New York City to process some data on a computer called Univac. It took up an entire room.
 

Alizerine said:
My first experience with a computer was when I worked at an atomic lab on Long Island. We went into New York City to process some data on a computer called Univac. It took up an entire room.
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Yes, I remember taking my card deck to the computer building, then going back in a couple of days to get the output... Programs that run in milliseconds now. Times change.
 
Have not asked the local senior center and a senior apartment I stayed at, many are aware that I'm an IT and would seek help with phone usage, and computer issues.

One of my favorites was a 98-year-old Veteran with two purple ❤️ hearts who was still driving a car, a 74-year-old FBI agent, Navy veteran with a brain injury, that needs a Dell hard Drive to replace.

Currently, an 89-year-old Lady needed a chrome book enhanced, so added office and other apps, also issue with Max password reset which is not so simple
 
Chris21E said:
Have not asked the local senior center and a senior apartment I stayed at, many are aware that I'm an IT and would seek help with phone usage, and computer issues.

One of my favorites was a 98-year-old Veteran with two purple ❤️ hearts who was still driving a car, a 74-year-old FBI agent, Navy veteran with a brain injury, that needs a Dell hard Drive to replace.

Currently, an 89-year-old Lady needed a chrome book enhanced, so added office and other apps, also issue with Max password reset which is not so simple
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Now we know who to call on here when we have problems...(y):sneaky:
 
You could be forgiven to think that I am anti-technology, far from it, but technology should be used in conjunction with what we have instead of what we had.

Tomorrow we shall be taking our vintage MG to a classic meeting known as: "Classics On The Quay." https://bppcltd.com/ccotf/

It's popular insomuch as it's held in a very popular tourist location, tourists and locals alike love to come along and see the vintage cars and the location is on a beach, well almost.

At the location is a very good restaurant called "Boathouse." "Let me treat you to lunch at the Boathouse tomorrow," I said to my lovely lady. Knowing the restaurant well she answered: "Ooh, yes please!" When I phoned through to the Boathouse a synthetic voice told me to press one for the money, two for the show. Actually it was press one for bookings, but you get the gist.

Bookings gave me a second synthetic voice that said how busy it was and could I leave my details and they would get back to me. Excuse me, but before technology a human voice always, always responded, no matter how busy they were. Knowing that this might end in tears due to my ignorance of email, I said to my missus, "I'm going to Christchurch to book a table for us tomorrow." Do you know, she thought that the most obvious thing to do. No arguments about doing it online, just a simple: "OK."

At the restaurant it was very busy, peak time Saturday evening, I'm not surprised. The young lady on reception responded with my request for a table for two tomorrow at two pm with, a dexterity of keyboard play on her computer so that they went there, this did that and a double table could be split. Amazing!

That sort of response is just not available with email. Tomorrow we shall be dining at the Boathouse, even though it cost me an hour and a half journey time.
 
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@hollydolly 's original question was: "Do you know anyone your age who doesn't know how to use a computer?" Gave that a bit of thought.

Today there is little we can do without using some kind of computer, drive a car, watch TV, talk on the phone. So in one way or another pretty much anyone alive knows how to use some computer.

Only exception might be in one of those supposedly uncontacted tribes or people, doubt anyone here knows someone like that.
 
On one hand we have people who puff themselves up when they say they don't have a computer and on the other hand we have people who puff themselves up over how superior they are to those people who don't have one and accuse them of having "stunted growth."

My book club is mostly retired honors English teachers and retired librarians and while they used computers in their work, about half of them don't have one in their home. Two of them, who also belong to a phi beta kappa book club, are busy learning to speak Russian before they take a trip there, some of them are master gardeners, all of them do some sort of volunteer work, one just got back from France. I wouldn't say their lives are stunted just because they can't watch cat videos on You-tube.
 
Della said:
On one hand we have people who puff themselves up when they say they don't have a computer and on the other hand we have people who puff themselves up over how superior they are to those people who don't have one and accuse them of having "stunted growth."

My book club is mostly retired honors English teachers and retired librarians and while they used computers in their work, about half of them don't have one in their home. Two of them, who also belong to a phi beta kappa book club, are busy learning to speak Russian before they take a trip there, some of them are master gardeners, all of them do some sort of volunteer work, one just got back from France. I wouldn't say their lives are stunted just because they can't watch cat videos on You-tube.
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Again... I didn't accuse anyone of having stunted growth who don't own a computer.. :rolleyes: I said those who refuse to learn how to use one, are in danger of being intellectually stunted..... and anyone who thinks that the Internet is just for watching cat Videos hasn't progressed much further than infant class...
 
JaniceM said:
I can relate! Long before I ever saw a computer, and my kids were using them in school, I said we'd never have one of those things with all that radiation.. and not even in the garage!! :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
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In her case, probably not. More like a lack of confidence in her ability to understand the computer.
 
I no longer have personal contact with anyone who doesn't have some level of computer literacy. To be blunt, they were all elderly and have passed away.

I bought my first computer in the very early 90s. Had some off-brand desktop to start with, then graduated (?) to a Gateway desktop with Windows 3.1X. What a combination - a horribly glitchy computer with equally glitchy software. I was on the phone almost daily with tech support. Truth be told though, that Gateway was a blessing in disguise. Baptism by fire. I learned so much about computers that I could eventually solve most hardware and software problems. Equally important was figuring out how to navigate various levels of tech support to quickly escalate problems past first line tech support employees who knew even less than I did.

I've been on the internet since early dial up days. Taught myself most of what I know using tutorials, books, and some very helpful people on various forums. I learned how to build websites and have been tech support for my family and a few friends for a very long time.

People in highly developed, industrialized nations who remain computer illiterate have nothing to be proud of. To me it would be like bragging that they never bothered to learn to read or master basic math skills. Public libraries and adult education programs offer free computer access, tutelage, and wifi in the US. Can't say how it is in other nations.

The internet has so much instantly available information. It's there 24/7 with just the click of a few buttons. It's beyond my understanding why anyone would reject the opportunity to access it.
 
StarSong said:
I no longer have personal contact with anyone who doesn't have some level of computer literacy. To be blunt, they were all elderly and have passed away.

I bought my first computer in the very early 90s. Had some off-brand desktop to start with, then graduated (?) to a Gateway desktop with Windows 3.1X. What a combination - a horribly glitchy computer with equally glitchy software. I was on the phone almost daily with tech support. Truth be told though, that Gateway was a blessing in disguise. Baptism by fire. I learned so much about computers that I could eventually solve most hardware and software problems. Equally important was figuring out how to navigate various levels of tech support to quickly escalate problems past first line tech support employees who knew even less than I did.

I've been on the internet since early dial up days. Taught myself most of what I know using tutorials, books, and some very helpful people on various forums. I learned how to build websites and have been tech support for my family and a few friends for a very long time.

People in highly developed, industrialized nations who remain computer illiterate have nothing to be proud of. To me it would be like bragging that they never bothered to learn to read or master basic math skills. Public libraries and adult education programs offer free computer access, tutelage, and wifi in the US. Can't say how it is in other nations.

The internet has so much instantly available information. It's there 24/7 with just the click of a few buttons. It's beyond my understanding why anyone would reject the opportunity to access it.
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you always say it so much better than me.. :sneaky:(y)
 
hollydolly said:
Anyone who thinks that the Internet is just for watching cat Videos hasn't progressed much further than infant class...
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As in Janet & John book one? Well that's about my intellectual understanding of internet based technology, so much so that I don't even know what cat videos mean, unless that's videos of the antics that cats get up to. There again, thanks to our American friends, I am familiar with the colloquial term of pussy. When I stroke my wife's pussy, she dribbles
Ruby Mae.jpgruby-mae.jpg
Would I have it any other way?
.
 
horseless carriage said:
As in Janet & John book one? Well that's about my intellectual understanding of internet based technology, so much so that I don't even know what cat videos mean, unless that's videos of the antics that cats get up to. There again, thanks to our American friends, I am familiar with the colloquial term of pussy. When I stroke my wife's pussy, she dribbles
View attachment 237564View attachment 237565
Would I have it any other way?
.
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that's exactly what it means.. Videos of Cats...
 
Yes. There are people in my building who do not own a computer or smart phone. Not sure if they do not know how, or just never owned or used one. Many in their 70s and 80s. Often it is simply no interest or desire to learn.
I have a lady here who, while not computer literate, will come to me to have me help her order something on Amazon. So, she is aware of what can be done, but is fine with not having computer/internet access
 
One of my best friends, now deceased, didn't know how to use a computer and never wanted to learn. He'd call me up if he wanted me to check something for him (or sometimes I'd voluntarily look something up for him).
 
..see this is what I mean.. that it's like speaking English for a foreigner whose been here for many years and just refuses to learn... the more we do it for people who refuse to learn, the more they'll allow us... and the more they'll be disadvantaged
 
MarkinPhx said:
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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I know one of those people. She’s very capable but very strong willed and decided years ago that she’ll have nothing to do with technology. Her husband isn’t too far behind though he does use the computer and sends some emails.

caroln said:
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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Agreed. If you ask them if they watch YouTube or Netflix etc, almost all of them do.

Friends of a friend won’t have the internet in their apartment or own credit cards. It’s amazing that they take off their tinfoil hats when they go walking. They do go to the public library to send emails.

I know of some people around here that can barely use a computer for their email. Some still try.
 

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