Computer 101?

Originally Posted by Kairyu

For kicks I typed your question into the google search engine and got the exact page you're probably looking for. Right here: http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/pagre/how-to-help.html

I would never follow most of that advice. If someone wants me to teach them how to use a computer, and they didn't listen to "NO. Learn some other way." the first ten times, then they are not getting handled with kid gloves to that degree. They will get the information they need, but they will get it my way.

If they make a mistake, I say that you tell 'em what they did was wrong, and why. If they do the wrong thing after you've given 'em clear instructions, you tell them that they didn't follow your instructions, and repeat the same instructions with greater detail. You don't need to be rude, but you do have to be firm. Mistakes are mistakes. Incorrect assumptions are incorrect. Neither of them are "reasonable" they are just not right.

The method that site suggests will just lead to people who still don't really know what they are doing. Nobody needs to have a degree in computer science to use Word, but they do need to know what buttons they are pressing and why. They need to know what any terminology the computer presents them with means, even if only in basic terms. They need to understand the tasks they have to perform, in order to adapt and extend that knowledge to new situtions that might arise.

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Whenever they start to blame themselves, respond by blaming the computer. Then keep on blaming the computer, no matter how many times it takes, in a calm, authoritative tone of voice.

What a steaming pile that advice is! Do not blame the computer, unless the computer caused the problem. If the user caused the problem it is far more productive to explain this, and to explain why it happened. You don't need to be harsh. It's OK to explain that everyone was a noob once, and that mistakes happen, but it would be wrong to blame the computer for operator error.

There's some good advice in there too, but I refuse to softpedal the truth about good practice and operator errors just because it might wound someone's self esteem. I'll be as polite as I can, but I won't hesitate to say "OK. Now, that was wrong, because...."

Jam it back in, in the dark.

1) Meet Your New PC.

A short lesson describing what things are called, how to hook up a computer fresh from the store, that sort of thing. It'll come in useful if she ever needs a new mouse, or decides that a whole new system is in order. Plus it's a sound foundation.

2) Turn on, Log In, Drop Out.

Explain very briefly about operating systems. Nothing in depth, just that there is more than just Windows, and they all allow you to manage your files and execute your programs.

3) Fundamental Concepts.

This is My Documents, this is the Recycle Bin, and that is the Start Menu. Try to at least briefly explain how all this is organised on the hard drive. She won't thank you, but it only takes five minutes and it is fundamental in importance.

4) Managing Files.

A computer is useless if you can't find your files. You need to teach her how to make folders, move files, and delete useless files. Impress on her the importance of not deleting anything from system folders. Try to train her to keep everything in My Documents. If she has anything that she wants to keep anywhere else, teach her of the importance of an organised directory tree.

5) Practical Matters.

OK so now she knows things about a computer, she needs to learn how to accomplish the tasks that are of importance to her. Introduce her to either MS Office, Open Office or whatever else she might be using. Just briefly show her how to use the most basic functions of each, then give her a good "... For Dummies" (or similar) book if she needs to know more. Tell her that if there's anything the book can't teach her, you are always willing to help.

6) Other Applications.

Tell her that there are a million different things you can do with a computer. There's no time to cover even 10% of those things, so she needs to tell you what she's interested in getting done, and then you can plan the next lot of lesson plans.

7) Internets are Serious Business.

Teach her how to use Firefox and Thunderbird, or whatever you prefer to use. Educate her on internet safety. It's important to not download and install whatever she finds on the internet without checking with a more experienced user first. Don't click adverts. Don't browse for porn unless you're sure you're ready to meet with the proof of Rule 34. Don't blindly believe what the internet tells you... etc... etc...

8) Security.

Explain to her that a firewall is a bit like a lock for your door. You give the key only to applications that you trust, so they can go in and out freely, but nothing else can. Explain that some assholes have nothing better to do than to try to spoil your day, and that for this reason you need to check your computer with anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

Then explain that prior to lesson 1, you've set all of this up so that it runs automatically. If ever she sees a warning dialog box she doesn't understand, she's to call you.

9) Further Lessons.

Rome was not built in a day. When she knows what she wants to do with her computer, you can help further. She also needs to learn self-reliance, but that is a slow process. Books are written for people with a basic level of understanding, they will help.

She needs to know that computers aren't that simple, and she won't understand everything straight away. More lessons will happen when you've got the time.

10) When Good Computers Go Bad.

Explain that sometimes things do go wrong, and you have to use a restore disc or whatever to restore it to the as-new condition in which she got it. It happens to the best of us. It's a half-day's work or less to restore everything. She doesn't need to be afraid if she hosed the system.

She does need to learn about how to back things up though. This lesson should include an introduction to DVD-R/RW media, and how to use them to store your most important files.

Thus endeth the first lesson plan. Some would say that at least half of it is not necessary, but I argue that it is better to give someone a fishing rod than a mere fish. You have a small chance of making this person into a confident computer user who will be self-reliant and capable within six months. It's worth trying.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by janus zeal

Are European internets worth more or less? =o

If we assume that the dollar to pound exchange rate applies, he's just given me OVER NINE THOUSAND British internets. I like how that worked out.

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You may want to go over things like changing wallpaper, color theme, etc. other then that Soluzar covered everything nicely.

Might even want to explain about programs like WindowBlinds, which would be a good opportunity to explain about background applications and why having too many of them is probably a bad idea.

If you don't then at some point she's bound to discover WindowBlinds, or something similar. Then she will ask you in a plaintive tone of voice why her computer is so slow recently, and you'll have to explain once she has already become attached to the pretty bloatware.

A lot of people want to use things like WindowBlinds, and that's fine. They just need to be aware of the trade-off that is involved in using things like that. You can't eat your cake and have it as well. You can either have pretty themes for XP or you can have performance.

How ya doing, buddy?