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February 98 Column
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Frustrated With Technology?
By Jana Barberio
Fuzzy monitors, lost files, printers don’t work, modems
run too slow, the machine locks up.
Think you might need therapy for the computer illiterate?
Take heart.
Did you hear the one about the guy who complained
that his coffee cup holder was broken? It turned out he was using
his compact disc (CD) drive as the holder. This is true.
Do you know anyone who uses the “a” drive as a paper
clip holder? It happened to one lady because she called computer
support wondering why her computer wouldn’t work.
There are so many things that go wrong with a computer
that it confounds even the most technically-minded.
Have you heard the jokes about Windows compatible
products being “Plug and Pray” instead of “Plug and Play”?
Microsoft products and their maker are on the top of the joke list, despite
Words’ and Internet Explorer’s popularity.
Reading every computer magazine, article and book
in sight and watching Saturday morning computer shows on hardware, software
and online services is impossible, though it’s a start. It is safe
to say that aside from getting a degree in computer technology, you either
need your own personal computer guru at your disposal or you need to become
“computer wiser.”
Test your savvy now. How would you handle
these situations?
Darn, this paper was due an hour ago and the your
printer is not printing your document. You see an error message on
your monitor and proceed to have a panic attack. Do you need a new
printer? In a moment of rational thinking, you call the nearest computer
geek (which may be the secretary in your office who knows how to change
the toner cartridges or your 10-year-old daughter). She laughs and
places a stack of 8 ½ by 11 paper in the paper tray. You feel
sheepish because your printer at home lights up when it is out of paper.
The other printer scenario: you requested your program
to print the document and nothing appears to be happening. Do you
chastise yourself for not taking that Windows class? Or do you remember
to minimize your windows to find the print command window behind them waiting
patiently for you to click “OK”?
Do you feel comfortable walking into a computer
store without your partner or a “computer literate” friend? At one
time, we may have felt this way about buying our car from a dealer or repairing
our car in a shop.
Would you rather have a computer sales person “tell”
you need a costly gismo for your computer (which may or not be accurate)
or would you rather do the research through the Internet, on-line services,
computer magazines, computer user groups, news groups and email?
Hypothetically, if you were to create your
own web page, would you prefer using HTML or a Web Text Editor? Is
there a difference? Do you know you don’t have to buy the software to do
this? It can either be downloaded from the Internet or accessed through
your web browser software.
Experience, often made from mistakes which
costs time, and good sources of information, which costs time, can save
you even more money and time!
Stay tuned for tips. If you are frustrated
and need help now, send me an email at barberj@ibm.net and I may discuss
your concerns in future columns.
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Jana Barberio is
a freelance writer and a former paralegal. She and her husband, John started
the Holly Computer User Group in Holly, Michigan. She can be reached
by email at
jana@barberio.com
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jana@barberio.com