Re: I Could Not Believe This

I'm new here but wanted to jump in on this conversation. My mother is 93 and is on the computer on a daily basis. She emails everyone and has her own Facebook account. She has a cell phone, DVD player and her laptop. I know plenty of young people who aren't nearly as computer savvy as my mom.

Re: I Could Not Believe This

Hi etaylor, and welcome to the forum.

Your mum sounds wonderful! Good for her.

Re: I Could Not Believe This

I'm 57 and about as thick as it's possible to be (in this day and age) with anything techy; not because I can't learn it but I'm just not interested enough to take it in and retain the info - in fact, I find the whole tech scene an absolute bore. As long as I can type stuff, order stuff and watch stuff, that's all I need to know

Re: I Could Not Believe This

Back in the 60's our maths teacher was very interested in computer science and taught us the basics of programming. I spent virtually all my working life in IT, firstly as a Large systems engineer (in the days when computers were the size of a house) and later in software development. I'm a bit rusty now, but I could program in about 7 or 8 computer languages.

Now, I don't care a lot for technology. I don't struggle with it, I'm just not interested in some things I can do without. I've survived without a smart phone, twitter, facebook, kindle, sat nav etc... for over 60 years and I see no need to start now. This desktop PC and my digital camera suit me fine.

Re: I Could Not Believe This

I think that sums it up for a lot of older people - there just isn't the interest to get involved with it all.

Re: I Could Not Believe This

I used to be interested, took a couple of courses. Then when my old PC got old and not compatible with any new printers and my new laptop wasn't compatible with my favourite program " Microsoft Picture It, Print Studio" which enabled me to make all sorts of lovely things, manipulate images, make animated e-mails etc. I rapidly lost interest, especially as Photoshop is sooooo complicated to use! Now this laptop's not compatible with our new printer so, have given up printing anything!

Re: I Could Not Believe This

I had windows 3.1 and also a dot matrix printer. They seemed so cool at the time. I later got a letter quality printer with a daisy wheel, boy was that thing loud!

I have done a lot of freelance writing. I stared out with a manual and then an electric typewriter. I wrote a book on the electric and used carbon paper for the copies. Wow, I wish I had a modern computer back then.

When I bought my first microwave it was Huge, and I had to go to a special store to buy it. I have never been without a microwave since.

I hate to read instructional manuals, so usually just learn anything new by trial and error. If I can't figure something out, I will ask my son and he can usually figure it out.

I really love learning new things.

Re: I Could Not Believe This

I hate those things as well - no matter how hard I try to concentrate on the drivel, I mean, instructions and endless explanation, my eyes always glaze over

I always ask my son or eldest granddaughter but I think my son gets a bit fed up of it still, I remind him of all the things I have done, and still do, for him and he just gets on with it then

Re: I Could Not Believe This

I have noticed more and more that there is NO instruction manual. Just a page or so of how to set the item up. Cheap companies, LOL. We are supposed to go on their web site for the help. I don't care, as I do it by trial and error anyway, haaaa

Re: I Could Not Believe This

Or sometimes, if you're very lucky, a DVD! Cheaper and easier to produce. But you can't beat a good old fashioned paper manual though, can you? So much better to have one spread out in front of you as you set up. And a darn sight quicker.