Bought Mrs SJ a Laptop

[Smokin Joe]

The only computer she has ever used in her life was an Amstrad PCW. She has never even switched a PC on, let alone used one.

I see some tense moments on the horizon. Funny, I was noted for my patience and laid back attitude when I was a driving instructor, but it's different when you are trying to show your nearest and dearest how to do something.

I must resist the temptation to shout or be sarcastic.

 

[vernon]

I must resist the temptation to shout or be sarcastic.

Have you managed so far?

 

[Smokin Joe]

Have you managed so far?

Haven't.

Sunday is earmarked as Day 1 when we both have the time.

 

[Sharky]

The only computer she has ever used in her life was an Amstrad PCW. She has never even switched a PC on, let alone used one.

I see some tense moments on the horizon. Funny, I was noted for my patience and laid back attitude when I was a driving instructor, but it's different when you are trying to show your nearest and dearest how to do something.

I must resist the temptation to shout or be sarcastic.

Make sure she's wearing her seat belt.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

The only computer she has ever used in her life was an Amstrad PCW. She has never even switched a PC on, let alone used one.

I see some tense moments on the horizon. Funny, I was noted for my patience and laid back attitude when I was a driving instructor, but it's different when you are trying to show your nearest and dearest how to do something.

I must resist the temptation to shout or be sarcastic.

Yes, don't make her feel inadequate.

By most accounts I would be termed as very computer savvy but: living with Lovely Wife who is Red Hot Queen of IT in the company she works for I can feel crushed when I hear phrases such as "you (expletive deleted) dimwit, a Chimp could work that thing better than you".

Still, she's handy to have around when I 'get stuck'.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Why not chuck the laptop through the window now to bypass the screaming and shouting phase.

 

[Fnaar]

Equate it with driving; it's bound to help.

Start with "OK, we're going to do a hill start... turn it on"
Reversing round a corner = using the back button on the browser.
Calling you for assistance = phoning RAC
Parallel parking = having more than one browser tab open and not getting confused about where the other page has gone to.
Sending unnecessary emails = chucking litter out the car window

 

[stephec]

Equate it with driving; it's bound to help.

Start with "OK, we're going to do a hill start... turn it on"
Reversing round a corner = using the back button on the browser.
Calling you for assistance = phoning RAC
Parallel parking = having more than one browser tab open and not getting confused about where the other page has gone to.
Sending unnecessary emails = chucking litter out the car window

I can't believe you've not mentioned testing Miss Goodbody's airbags.

 

[tyred]

I recently helped my Mum learn how to use a computer which was an "interesting" experience which seriously tried my patience (edited polite forum friendly versionof events).

I am pretty competent although out of touch with the newer versions of Windows as I don't have the same interest any more but I don't understand how some people struggle so much as it's all relatively easy. When I learned I had to memorise loads of DOS commands (which I am still sad enough to remember and occasionally open up a DOS prompt and move files around or something just for "fun!").

 

[ufkacbln]

Have fun...

My wife was on a Masters course a few years ago, and they were introduced to computers as a session showing how they could / should be used for the course

Lecturer started with "Lets open Windows"

Two people left their chairs, crossed over operated the handle and opened a window

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Why not chuck the laptop through the window now to bypass the screaming and shouting phase.

I'm with him. I refuse point-blank to do IT support for my family, as they can't follow simply verbal instructions and tlh looks at me blankly when I say 'right-click on it' and 'scroll-down' or screams 'Gregry, help me, I've lost all my email again' when she forgets for the umpteenth time to use Thunderbird and not gmail.

 

[martint235]

I'm with him. I refuse point-blank to do IT support for my family, as they can't follow simply verbal instructions and tlh looks at me blankly when I say 'right-click on it' and 'scroll-down' or screams 'Gregry, help me, I've lost all my email again' when she forgets for the umpteenth time to use Thunderbird and not gmail.

I help my father in law out all the time and also another oldish bloke that I know. The level of knowledge is scarily low so for example if a particular website doesn't work, usually BT Yahoo, then the internet is broken. Or Internet Explorer and the Internet are believed to be interchangeable terms. I don't mind doing this though and I manage to remain calm throughout.

What really gets my goat are the questions from the other half who uses a computer at work day in day out. "How do I get to the calculator?", "How do I make Word do bold characters" etc. YOU'VE BEEN USING A COMPUTER FOR OVER 20 YEARS YOU MUST HAVE PICKED THIS UP BY NOW!!!! I'm sure it's just a case of "well he's here, I don't need to think about it" but it drives me nuts

 

[Fnaar]

Have fun...

My wife was on a Masters course a few years ago, and they were introduced to computers as a session showing how they could / should be used for the course

Lecturer started with "Lets open Windows"

Two people left their chairs, crossed over operated the handle and opened a window

Years ago, my ageing father in law inadvertently invented the touch screen... he was a total novice with a PC (he isn't much better now, tbh). I was giving him a basic lesson.
Once we'd turned it on an let it load Windows, I told him to press start.
A shaky, nervous hand reached forward towards the screen, and literally pressed "Start"
I knew then that this was going to be a loooooong process.

 

[Bazzer]

I dread introducing technology to Mrs B. Took weeks to use with any competance, a new mobile she bought at Christmas and even now I'd say she is comfortable with only email and calls. Insists on emailing pictures to friends embedded in Word and TV remotes are a whole new world of pain.

 

[martint235]

Oh and my other pet bugbear both from the other half and the FiL: "What's my password for...........?" . How the feck should I know, we set that up years ago and I have about 200 passwords of my own to keep track of. I've set you up with password databases why aren't you using the fecking thing?? And then the inevitable "What's my password to get into my password database?" Thankfully I do have that one stored in my own database.