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

hollydolly said:
..or the internet , generally ?:unsure:

The other day when I was in the surgery waiting room, I sparked up a convo with 2 women who were waiting to see their respective Doctors...both were in their early 70's..so about 5 or 6 years older than me..

One was bemoaning the fact that she had trouble getting a blood test and had to jump through hoops with forms.. as she waved one around.., and I told her that I always book mine online.. She said that she didn't have a computer and wouldn't know how to use it anyway.. and with that, the second lady agreed, that she was the same ...

Now these were not doddering old biddies.. they were on the ball women it seemed to me.. so I was very surprised to realise that out of the 3 of us there.. 2/3rds didn't know how to use a Computer..:oops:

Do you know anyone who doesn't use one after all these years since we've commonly had home computers , who is perfectly capable of learning..?
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I don’t know anyone that doesn’t know how to use one, but I’m constantly surprised at how limited they allow their skills to be.
 
Yes, the world of computers, internet, technology has shaped the world.
That’s why people don’t know how to engage in good old conversation, looking at each other while speaking to them……now it’s people sitting in the same room, often right beside each other…..texting to each other……and never lifting their head…..kids and adults…..no discrimination between the two.

We use spelling check on our computers…..so does anyone know how to use a dictionary anymore.

I have never and will never criticize any who do not use a computer, nor have one or to choose either to have internet or not.
Especially the elderly generation. The decision should be voluntary and wanted, not pushed into.

I once said I would never have a computer…..but I changed my mind…..I do enjoy it…..I do a lot on line…..all which is self taught, except when I got my first laptop, had the technician set up my email account.

This my opinion only and my voice only.
 
I'm well aware that there's more on the internet than cat-videos, I spend far, far too many hours every day on the internet, reading hard-to-find books on the Gutenberg site, "traveling" with google maps, asking questions, researching health problems, reading history or about the lives of famous people on Wikipedia -- and watching Chunk the groundhog eat corn. I don't think there's anything wrong with that or the cat videos.

I just used cat videos as an example of what a whole lot of people I know spend time doing on the internet. If not that they're posting pictures of their lunch on Facebook, or watching porn, or gambling. That doesn't make them more highly evolved than those who don't have internet at all.

Yes, the internet is a wonderful source of information, but it's also an enormous source of misinformation and it can be a huge waste of time.

I don't really care who has internet and who doesn't or what they do when they get it. I just don't agree that anyone who doesn't have it is inferior.
 
This thread brings back memories of when the company I was with began introducing individual computers to employees. They gave us classes on how to use this new fangled intracompany e-mail. We didn't yet have internet access. They figured it would reduce paperwork. Before that we had IOC's, interoffice correspondence. You would hand write it, the secretary would type it and make copies and the mail room would distribute them. I still have several of mine that I was kind of proud of.

Heck, I can remember when our department had one calculator and you had to check it out in order to use it. And it was just a 4 function.

Sorry for the ramble. It has nothing to do with the OP's question.
 
Barbara971 said:
I don’t know anyone that doesn’t know how to use one, but I’m constantly surprised at how limited they allow their skills to be.
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By skills I'm assuming that you mean technology/computer skills. That I have read and re-read both Chaucer and Shakespeare and can probably quote you any of The Bard's thirty eight plays and most, if not all, of his sonnets, doesn't show you how limited my skills can be.
To that you can add the works of John Gower and the author of Piers Plowman, also known as: William Langland.

Apologies if that comes across as boastful, the point I'm making is that not everyone has the same skills as everyone else.
 
horseless carriage said:
By skills I'm assuming that you mean technology/computer skills. That I have read and re-read both Chaucer and Shakespeare and can probably quote you any of The Bard's thirty eight plays and most, if not all, of his sonnets, doesn't show you how limited my skills can be.
To that you can add the works of John Gower and the author of Piers Plowman, also known as: William Langland.

Apologies if that comes across as boastful, the point I'm making is that not everyone has the same skills as everyone else.
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Of course you are right about everyone and their own skills. I was referring strictly to computer skills.
 
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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How in the universe did you get that word to print while the censor bleeps out so many others?
 
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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At my school, computers were becoming common in most classrooms around the 80s, but I can't remember exactly, and eventually we had a computer lab. The principal told the secretaries they would be getting computers too, and informed them they would be taking a class on basic computer use. This was the biggest point of resistance in our system... from secretaries, who insisted everything they needed to do, they could do on their typewriters, but the principle held firm, and their typewriters were replaced and the secretaries kicking and screaming were forced to learn computers. It wasn't long before any new upgraded computers were purchased that the best computers ended up in the main office, and teachers and kids got the secretary's hand downs.

I was always perplexed that the secretaries were among the last to get on board, but once comfortable with them, you couldn't tear their computers out of their hands.
 
JustDave said:
This was the biggest point of resistance in our system... from secretaries, who insisted everything they needed to do, they could do on their typewriters, but the principle held firm, and their typewriters were replaced and the secretaries kicking and screaming were forced to learn computers
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Not all of us secretaries were like that. I hated typewriters with a passion--although that's how I learned my living thus explaining why I've been in a bad mood most of my adult life--and embraced the word processor and later the computer with open arms.
 
officerripley said:
Not all of us secretaries were like that. I hated typewriters with a passion--although that's how I learned my living thus explaining why I've been in a bad mood most of my adult life--and embraced the word processor and later the computer with open arms.
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I agree..I really hated typing, ..mainly because I had to type on Manual Typewriters and my hands are little , so the keys were hard to press, and made my fingers really ache
 
When computers were first starting show up, back when DOS was the order of the day and the internet was still a fantasy, we used to speculate on where this whole digital thing was going. I remember a woman who taught English authoritatively pointing out, "Everyone thinks the future of computers will be in math. But it's not. It will be in word processing." I thought she was very wise, but it turns out the future was much bigger than either word processing or math, which in reality are very tiny parts of the whole.
 
caroln said:
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:
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My husband just said something so funny this morning and it made me think of this thread. We have a streaming service for TV called SuperBox and occasionally it will go down which really irritates him. He got a message on the TV stating the server was down so he said, "why don't they just unplug the *amn thing and put in a new one?" Without laughing I answered, "sorry dear, it doesn't work that way". Can't believe I was able to say that with a straight face! All hope is gone.
 
I wouldn't judge anyone who chooses not to learn how to use a computer, and I do find it quite insidious that in the last 30? years, technology has crept up on us so much that being online is a must, rather than a choice. I know a few people who prefer to stay "unconnected" and they are very happy with their lives.
 
I've never had a smart phone so I have no clue what to do with those. But I know a lot of people who don't know how to use a computer and most jobs require it now for one reason or another. And I get tired of everyone wanting me to help all the time. They won't write a thing down. It's a major pain.
 
Hollow said:
I wouldn't judge anyone who chooses not to learn how to use a computer, and I do find it quite insidious that in the last 30? years, technology has crept up on us so much that being online is a must, rather than a choice. I know a few people who prefer to stay "unconnected" and they are very happy with their lives.
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I agree about the choice. I think it's unfair that some places can only be accessed through the internet. Or they have no way for people to do stuff on paper like before.
 
My oldest friend is 6 months my senior and won't use a computer - she won't answer her phone either. Drives her daughter nuts. Daughter installed cameras in every room except the bathroom so she could keep track of her...she had fallen more than once and wound up in rehab. It is what it is and its sad.
 
I have used a computer for almost 25 years and cannot imagine my life now without it.
It opened up the rest of the world to me and I have made many internet friends over the years and indeed have met some of them in person.
I have no use for mobile phones other than for voice or text communication and still prefer to have home phone through regular telephone service.
At this age I do carry it around with me when out and about for voice or text contact only.
But..... that is just how I feel.
To each his own
I love this pic which I got in an email yesterday and thought this might be a good spot to post it:p

future comp.jpg
 
I know how to do “old school” work-arounds like taking a screenshot and then writing to a pdf. I have Word 2000 but know how to open and print newer Word files if needed. Generally, the answer to any question can be found with a search since thousands of others have already asked the question and there are plenty sharing their knowledge.

I was shackled to a computer for decades on my job. These days I mostly use my iPad, which is more or less a smart phone without the phone.
 
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My hubby @81 knows how to turn on the PC and scroll down the Yahoo headline page but he has no clue how to get into email or any accounts we've had set up for years online. I have most monthly bills set up on autopay so no check writing needed. I've tried to show him how to sign on to our online savings account but he gets glassy-eyed and I can tell he doesn't get all the steps he needs to go through to get there. I've had him sit at the computer and go step-by-step, but it's all Greek to him. I know I'll have to get his son (who lives in AZ, which is a problem) to do these things for him if something happens to me first. Sigh :(
 
About 17 years ago, I worked as Admin Asst. for our local library. There were so many over 50 year olds who were trying to learn computers, and basics like Word, and email. I got permission to start up lessons twice a week at 1 hour limits. My classes were welcomed by many, keeping it to one hour so as not to overwhelm with too many new tricks. I enjoyed the satisfied looks on faces when they left, knowing they could use a computer more efficiently with knowledge and skill.
Even today several folks ask me for tips and I gladly share whatever I can to help them. Neighbors appreciate this.

You can always learn more, at any age. One thing I stressed: we only use about 8% of the capabilities our computers offer us. It was true even 20 years ago with less technology.
 

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