I have a friend whose mother has just retired. As a gift upon her retirement, he is building her a computer. WOW!
Then I started to think about what it was like to address a computer for the first time...AND what it was like to be on-line for the first time, and wondered what it was going to be like for this lady, and her husband.
Good Friend has a plan. He's putting the hardware together, piece by piece and having them watch and repeat the names of the pieces, so they have a little of the terminology under their belts. I know what a mother board is, and I've taken the case off my computer and unhooked every plug, but I'd be hard pressed to tell you what each piece is. It would have been nice, the Labor Day Weekend when I had to dismantle the computer to determine what was wrong, if I'd had the language and knowledge to communicate with the computer representative who was talking me through it.
Good Friend tells me that they will have two months to work at the computer before they go on-line and have all that to deal with. Probably not enough, but you have to jump in somewhere. I'd been using a computer for at least four years before we went on-line. I was taking a class in how to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Access at the time, so I had a lot of instruction on how to use parts of those programs, and the computer in general. I'd highly recommend that as a way to get started if you can make the time because it radically changes your learning curve.
I can remember that I didn't know what "Focus" meant. A very kind person in a chat room explained that you could have more than one screen up at a time, but that the active scree was the focus. The terminology wasn't as important as was the fact that all the screens could be UP at one time. I tended to close one before going to the next, and didn't realize you could have many open at one time.
Dear Husband has not had any training in how to use a computer. He just jumped right in, and does very well at it. Still, there are things that would speed up his use. DH works at the computer when the quilting bee meets here. I went to the office to ask him something one bee night, and found him laboriously closing out of a program and then opening it again to see a previous screen. I pointed to the back arrow, and suggested he try it next time. There have to be a lot of other ways I could help him, if he would let me. I think I'm too pedantic for him.
GF is going to have to teach about "Save Early, Save Often." I can't tell you how many times I've lost something at Movable Type because I didn't save frequently, and then hit the wrong key on my keyboard. (I just took my own advice...and would have been TICKED if I had lost all of this!)
I think the most difficult lesson will be WHERE to save things. It took me a long time to come to understand what the prompt was asking, and how to direct things to the appropriate files. There are times when I still am not sure what I'm being asked to do, especially when I leave programs that I use every day.
So....what advice do you have for someone who is just learning to address a computer? I bet we could come up with a compendium of information that might help as my friends get ready to join us on-line. Post your suggestion, please!
Comments (18)
1. How to save
2. Save early, save often
3. What's a toolbar...and all the buttons on it....
4. What's a task bar?
5. What can you do with a right click
6. When to click once; when to click twice.
gawd...there's a LOT of things for them to learn!
Posted by buffy | June 27, 2006 2:18 PM
Posted on June 27, 2006 14:18
My advice would be some of what is typed above. As well as to let the computer work for you...not vice versa.
Sorry about the lack of visits Buffy, but blogging is not high on my priority list in these last months.
Thanks for your recent visit and comment.
Posted by Dr. D. | June 28, 2006 12:15 AM
Posted on June 28, 2006 00:15
I agree with all the above. I would also suggest lots of practice just getting used to the computer and its programmes, preferably every day. That's the way to learn AND to retain what you were learnt.
I can remember when at work we were taught how to use a special programme but then afterwards the actual delivery of that programme to our p.c.s was delayed by a month. It was difficult to remember what we had been taught following such a delay.
Posted by Adele | June 28, 2006 3:37 AM
Posted on June 28, 2006 03:37
Doc. D., we've been in the same boat, so please don't worry. I think it's nice that we've found our way back to each other. *S* I hope the patio renovation is going well.
I think at first a computer can be overwhelming. It's probably just as well they don't know how much there is to learn. Once they are familiar with the mechanics of moving around the screen, opening and saving files, and opening and closing programs, things will get easier.
The very first time you open a program can be scary. I'm sure my friend will be there to give his mum advice, and I know that start up information has gotten better since I first addressed a computer. There's always "Computers for Dummies"! *S*
Posted by buffy | June 28, 2006 8:51 AM
Posted on June 28, 2006 08:51
Adele, it also occurred to me that it might be a good idea to give them information in small doses. I know my friend has limited time, but it might be wiser to give a number of short lessons rather than one long one.
I heartily agree with your comment about practicing what you've just learned. It's the only way to cement the information in your mind. Soon it will become second nature, but until then, repetition is necessary.
I've had the same experience concerning delays before you put something to use. One of the boys will tell me how to resolve an issue when I'm not at the computer. When I finally get to the computer, usually I have more questions, or what I've written doesn't jive with what's on the screen. If I'd had to wait a MONTH to put something to use, it would have been a total waste of time.
btw...how's your hand? It's really nice to see you posting again. *S*
Posted by buffy | June 28, 2006 8:57 AM
Posted on June 28, 2006 08:57
I'm a great believer in doing something lots of times but in small doses, so I agree with you totally. I think that they would be far more likely to absorb the information, rather than a huge amount of facts condensed into one big session when they are likely to forget things.
I had real difficulties remembering how to manage the programme when we had a month gap between the training and the arrival of the software. So that programme I never really came to terms with. Not a problem I have now, as this was a work thing.
The hand is quite a lot better thanks. I've started to knit again.
Posted by Adele | June 29, 2006 5:12 AM
Posted on June 29, 2006 05:12
1. Basic security is something that every computer user should understand--and how to update the software that tends to those issues.
2. Googling for information is very helpful.
There are web sites that offer free courses in computer subjects (ranging from basic to what-the-heck-am-I-doing-here in depth.) I am currently taking a course from Hewlett-Packard. Anyone interested might go to:
http://www.hp.com/united-states/hho/classes/index.html?jumpid=re_R602_mktg/hpcom/split/oc
One really appreciates Windows if they came from the days of using DOS. (Of course, there are many of us who are sometimes tempted to go back to DOS!)
Posted by Cop Car | June 29, 2006 9:19 AM
Posted on June 29, 2006 09:19
Cop Car, YES! Basic security, and updating software are very important. Actually, I think during my days at home I'd better check my software to see what needs to be updated!
Thanks for the suggestion about looking for basic information on-line. That's a much better idea than re-inventing the wheel. I should be able to help with questions that arise rather than having to create a textbook for her to follow.
Posted by buffy | June 29, 2006 11:14 AM
Posted on June 29, 2006 11:14
We're glad that you don't have to use that programme any longer. There's enough aggravation in the world without having to deal with difficult software every day.
I'm so glad to hear that you're knitting again! I wanted to wince and say "Ouch" every time I thought about your hand and how it must hurt.
Posted by buffy | June 29, 2006 11:32 AM
Posted on June 29, 2006 11:32
Adele--Glad to hear that the hand is on the mend. Knitting must be therapeutic for you.
Posted by Cop Car | June 29, 2006 9:11 PM
Posted on June 29, 2006 21:11
Thanks, it is. I was finding it a little frustrating not being able to knit. The crocheting will take a little longer as I am beginning to suspect that I am going to retrain myselfon how to let the yarn slip through the fingers of my left hand.
Posted by Adele | June 30, 2006 4:22 AM
Posted on June 30, 2006 04:22
Getting the tension right is everything. I can recall as a beginner starting out with big loopy stitches and ending up with stitches so tight I couldn't get the hook into them.
Good luck retraining your hand.
Posted by buffy | June 30, 2006 11:03 AM
Posted on June 30, 2006 11:03
Email was the first thing I wante d to learn,
so I could communicate with people. Then I worked on Word. Then I did saving and folders.
I still don't know what this movable type thing is nor RSS.
Posted by Susan | July 1, 2006 6:39 AM
Posted on July 1, 2006 06:39
I have to agree. I don't know what movable type is or RSS. Or a Wiki.
Posted by Adele | July 5, 2006 4:15 AM
Posted on July 5, 2006 04:15
Well, I can tell you that "Movable Type" or "MT" is the name of the program that ~T~ uses to host our blogs. "TypePad" is a variation on Moveable Type, and they are similar to Blogspot or the other blogging programs.
Cop Car, can you help out with RSS?
Wiki....is short for Wikipedia, I bet. It's a free encyclopedia on-line. www.wikipedia.com
Posted by buffy | July 5, 2006 8:38 PM
Posted on July 5, 2006 20:38
Bogie had to explain RSS to me--many moons ago. I think it is best said at
http://webdesign.about[dot]com/cs/rss/a/aa052603a.htm
[Sorry, I had to replace the "." with "dot" to please the censor!]
"Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an easy way for Web sites to share headlines and stories from other sites. Web surfers can use sophisticated news readers to surf these headlines using RSS aggregators."
and
"The best way to create an RSS feed is to use a tool, such as a Weblog to create the headlines, links and descriptions for you automatically....blogging programs...will create RSS for you along with the HTML for the blog."
From another source, http://c2.com/cgi/wiki
"'Wiki' is a composition system; it's a discussion medium; it's a repository; it's a mail system; it's a tool for collaboration. Really, we don't know quite what it is, but it's a fun way of communicating asynchronously across the network."
and
"This site's WikiEngine, WikiBase, has since spawned other WikiEngines, which themselves have become a popular way to document things."
Posted by Cop Car | July 6, 2006 2:08 PM
Posted on July 6, 2006 14:08
I stand corrected. It seems that Wikipedia might possbly be a search engine related to WikiBase.
Posted by Bufy | July 6, 2006 2:31 PM
Posted on July 6, 2006 14:31
Adele--
Well, reading over my last comment, I can only say that I made the subject as clear as mud! So, I scratched my head to come up with clearer explanations.
RSS: (Jump right in there, anyone who has actually used RSS and knows what s/he is talking about!) One must have a piece of software called a "reader" to use RSS--which, originally, stood for Rich Site Summary. An RSS is a downloadable page that summarizes content, news, and resources from a specific website. Without a reader, one sees the page in HTML. With the read, one sees the page in English (or whatever). It's a time-saver. It (usually) gives a thumbnail "sketch" of what is on a site so that you know whether you want to invest the time in delving into the site (which may be a blog), more. When you see a "Syndicate Me" button on a blog, you know that you can download a summary, if you wish.
Wiki: Wikiwiki means "fast" (or something like that) in Hawaiian. A Wiki is, essentially, a web site where any reader can author a page or pages. Usually, the web site has a specific focus of interest. For instance, WikiPedia provides definitions and explanations that readers write and/or edit. I think of a Wiki as being a "super-blog" where there are no commenters--only many, many authors--even more authors than "Less Is More" has!
I hope this is more helpful than my first un-thinking reply.
Posted by Cop Car | July 6, 2006 2:44 PM
Posted on July 6, 2006 14:44