How do you convince people...

[Micca]

...that computers are a good thing that provide convenience and entertainment? I deal with quite a few middle aged people who don't have computers, nor do they want to know anything about them. My neighbor just asked me about getting some concert tickets and I told her that going on line would be the easiest way. She tells me: " Oh I don't do computers" These people are in their 40s and 50s, it's not like they are 90! Not using a computer is like saying you have no interest in a microwave or using an ATM. What happens to these people 5, 10, 15 years from now(when the use of a computer will become even more necessary)? I understand if you can't afford a computer, but they have them at the public library. What can you say to people to convince them that life just gets more complicated without basic computer skills? I don't want to make these people to feel stupid or hopeless, so what would you do?

 

[Saffron]

I'm in my 40's or 50's and can't imagine being without a computer! I just love the fact that I have the biggest library in the world at my fingertips, 24 hours a day. I get on the computer and start to look up one thing, hours later I've read about 800 million things I never knew about or had an intention to learn about. Okay, 800 million might be a *tiny* exaggeration, but lots would be accurate.

Maybe that would help ... explaining that a computer is like a personal library?

 

[MomofKatie]

I know what you mean! My mom (70), a very smart lady, has used a computer for her job as a CPA for many years. However, she is still scared of it!! She won't do anything with the computer not directly related to her job. She isn't connected to the Internet, doesn't know how to use the calculator, notepad, or any of the other accessories, and is deathly afraid to hit the "wrong" key and erase her files . She has a tape backup, but still doesn't trust herself.

A while ago, her portable CD player broke, and she didn't listen to any of her music for several months until she got a new one. Meanwhile, her computer with CD ROM drive sat there- the CD drive came with the tower, and I honestly don't think she's ever used it. She thinks that using it to play a CD will mess up her work.

 

[mrsheppo]

I have a 40 year old male coworker and you would swear that we asked him to commit a mortal sin by asking if he was going to buy a computer.

He loves to travel and I told him by having a computer he could book his own travel, check different prices, check out where he wants to travel, etc. instead of going through a travel agent each time.

He swears travel agents will NEVER go out of business and that you can't get any better deals than what his agent gets him.

I gave up asking. Not worth the headache. I use my computer for research, entertainment and business. Can't imagine not having one.

 

[Missy1961]

I'm 45, I'd be lost without my computer! I've had a home computer since 1998, and whenever I've had problems getting online (as I used to with my old computer), I swear I went thru withdrawal. My dad is 81 and he's never used a computer, but he always asks me to check stuff out on the internet for him. I renewed his E-Z Pass online, added the 2nd car to the E-Z pass, etc. My 75 yr old aunt is taking computer classes so she can learn how to do everything on her computer. Isn't that great?