Paddy, there are variations on this theme, and I was referring to one particular type of person that you described as "someone (who) keeps coming back time after time, making the same mistakes over and over or consistently forgetting instructions, and refusing to read the help pages..." I would add to that "and who refuses to read a basic computer book (such as one of the "Missing Manual" guides) and waits until he/she is facing a deadline to try to use new software/hardware."
Again, I want to clarify that my previous post has absolutely nothing to do with Chris' sis, as I know nothing of her situation and it isn't really any of my business anyway. So people needn't waste bandwidth defending her or attacking me!
I was merely "stimulated," so to speak, by two words in one of Chris' posts: "phobic" and "patience." And since I am currently working in both a paid and unpaid fashion training people and trouble-shooting their Macs, it kind of got me going in a general sense, as I wasn't trying to make a point regarding Chris' situation. It might have something to do with the fact I turned 53 on Monday and I have been dealing with a relatively rare but potentially very serious health problem the past year (doing MUCH better, thank you), so how I spend my remaining days has been on my mind a lot more than when I was a strapping lad of twenty...
The feedback (and referrals) that I have received from my friends/clients (the oldest in his 70s...) regarding my patience and avoidance of confusing jargon (while encouraging people to use the correct computer terminology as much as possible, particularly when dealing with telephone and e-mail tech support) leads me to believe that I am on the right track when working with people of different ages and technological comfort zones.
The people who drive me nuts are the ones who refuse to learn the basics because "I don't have the time," who won't use the Help function, who rely on tech support people and/or their friends to deal with the simplest of computer tasks, and then loudly complain about how computers are "taking over the world" and that everything was so much easier before personal computers. Whether this comes from an irrational fear of technology (phobia) or stubbornness is beside the point... Granted, this attitude seems to be more prevalent on the PC side, but I have run into it with some Mac users too.
The reality is that computers are not yet appliances, so they require more knowledge to operate and maintain properly. And some software seems to require the same amount of time to master as obtaining a PhD! But computer makers and stores downplay this side of things, if they mention it at all. And more than a few folks are in serious denial about the reality of using a personal computer. When someone I know begins musing about getting their first computer, I try to let them know what I think is necessary to create the best possible experience without dampening their enthusiasm. In a fewcases I have told someone that I think that they would be happier staying "analog."
Heck, I resisted getting a computer as long as I could even though I have been around them since my high school days, when data was inputted with punch cards... I knew that they required time and energy to learn how to use (not to mention a lot of $$$), and I wanted to do other things and I could do what I wanted without a computer. But I finally bought a "word processor," and five years later in '95 I got an Apple Performa, an experience that was a total disaster due to my lack of preparation and hardware problems that were due to a known defect that I learned about after the fact. I got rid of the Performa after about three months, and then spent the next two years reading all the Mac magazines and a few books, beginning with... Wait For It... "Mac for Dummies."
When I felt ready to try again, I hired a Mac consultant (I was going to use the Mac in my business so I couldn't mess around getting going) and upon his recommendation I bought a 7300/200 (some recommendation... two months later the Beige G3 was released!) The consultant got my computer, two printers and a scanner up-and-running, something I could not have accomplished at the time. I tried to get him to teach me the basics, but he seemed more interested in keeping me in the dark so that I would be dependent on him (at $40 an hour in 1997.) His lack of attention to personal hygiene and minimal social skills along with his cryptic answers to my questions spurred me on to become as self-sufficient as possible, computer-wise. I did a LOT more reading, scoured online resources and I spent many hours at the computer making mistakes (nothing like this comes easy for me;I struggled with learning and physical disabilities as a child). Slowly but surely I got better at using the thing. Believe me, it was painful at times and I remember well how it is to be a beginner. But I rather enjoy being a beginner when I am interested in a subject; the learning process can be very exciting with the right teacher(s) and if you are really into it. I hope that I never stop being a "beginner." (On the other hand, at this time in my life I am enjoying having enough experience in several subjects to feel competent in what I do and to be making a good living utilizing the skills I have nurtured over the years.)
So It Goes. To summarize... in my little universe, if it isn't fun, I'm going to try to the best of my ability to avoid doing it. I suppose that is why I got going on this subject in the first place!
