Number 255 - August 2004

Computer Rage
by Elise M. Edgell and Jim Sanders, North Orange County Computer Club, CA
I have heard about road rage for years and have even seen instances of it. For some people just putting them behind a steering wheel gives them an angry feeling toward all other drivers on the road.    I am seeing a similar reaction with some people as soon as they are in front of a computer keyboard. Suddenly they are no longer reasonable, rational people using the computer to make their life better. They react as put-upon individuals that are using a tool, which they would rather not use, can't really see the benefit in using it, would rather be doing anything else other than sitting there in front of their computer, and they do not want to learn anything about their computer other than how to use the applications that they have been forced to use because of outside pressure. They act as if it is an imposition to have to learn anything more about their computer than how to turn it on. They see no useful value in understanding any of the workings of the computer. They have much more valuable use for their time than to spend any of it learning useless (in their estimation) information.    Unfortunately, not only do we have the "Computer Rage" group that think it is chic to hide behind their rage with an "I would rather work harder, than smarter" attitude, there are others. Some groups that come to mind are the "I am too old to learn this computer stuff" the "I am too dumb to learn this computer stuff," the "I am so computer illiterate that I don't even know how to turn one on, and proud of it," and the "I would probably do something wrong and break it" group.    What could be some of the reasons for these attitudes, reactions or myths to using a computer?    One reason is that computer software and hardware companies have fostered the idea that in today's world computers are so sophisticated that they can be run without any necessity for the user to learn the basics. As an example, the Windows operating system installs with many of its defaults set to "protect" the user from much of the really useful information that is needed for intelligent operation of the computer. The problem with that is, if the information is hidden, the user may he unaware of needed information.    So why should you make the effort to learn more about your computer? Even if you are using a computer under duress (real or perceived). once a computer is an integral part of your personal or business life it is very upsetting for the computer to be unavailable to perform the tasks that you've come to depend on.    When a problem occurs with your program or with your hardware, instead of just feeling abused, put upon, frustrated, helpless, or mad, you will have some options if you learn some of the basics. You will he able to take care of some of the simple and common problems yourself. When you get the "Disk A: is write-protected" error message while trying to save a file to the floppy disk, you will know that all you have to do is take the floppy out of the drive, slide over the write-protect tab to cover the hole, and re-insert it in the drive. The problem was solved in ten seconds, no rage, no anger, no anxiety, actually, no real problem. It was just one of those things that happen and have to be dealt with.    Even if you can't solve the situation on your own, you will be able to communicate the problem in understandable terms. This makes it possible for you to ask for help over the telephone, or even on the Internet. You'll also need to know when you really need help and to know if the "help" you are getting is valid. Last, and far from least, most windows have a "Help" menu, and there is always the "START" button and general "HELP" option. But once again, if, for whatever reason, you have not bothered to learn some of the basic concepts and terminology, you won't be able to ask the right question, or understand the answer if you stumble across it.	I have also heard people say. "I watch TV but I don't have to learn how it works, why should I have to learn how to use my computer?" My response is that today's computers place an unbelievable amount of access to information, knowledge, and creative programs at your fingertips. For chump change (don't know what that means--look it up on Google.com) you can buy a nice computer and access to the Internet. As soon as you buy that combination you have an almost unimaginable power sitting on your desk. Power that just a few years ago only governments and large corporations could afford. Once you are on the Internet, most of the information, a lot of the knowledge, and quite a few of the applications are free! You may have seen the TV ad showing a one man garage shop company that looks like a large company because of what the computer can do. This is a true story, not an advertiser's pipe dream. Information is power and the Internet makes information available on about any subject. Aside from the "chump change" what does all this power cost? The willingness to spend the time to learn how to use it!    I am no longer envious of people who live near a large library .I use the Internet to answer many of the questions which I think about but forget before I get to a dictionary, encyclopedia, or other paper research material. Now I can get an almost instantaneous answer and can ask to be notified by e-mail when a certain topic comes up in the news. For example, I used this recently after I read a murder mystery based on a deadly chemical named sodium azide. I had never heard of it before. I searched the Internet using Google and found many articles about it and its deadly properties. This chemical is readily available and widely used. I was concerned enough to use a feature of Google to send me an e-mail when sodium azide is in a news story.    Wouldn't you be willing to invest some of your time to be able to really use this type of power? What about really learning some of the abilities of the software that is probably sitting on your computer? Have you ever really looked at the features of WordPad in Windows XP? Have you ever clicked on help in WordPad? Did you know that the "Help Menu" in WordPad contains a "Help on how to use Help" section? Are you taking digital photos? Are you in sales? Do you have a disability? Of course, you can find use for some of the more advanced features of your software. The problem is you won't ever know what these may be, unless you expend some effort to learn what is possible.    Once you decide that learning more about the potential of your computer is a benefit to you, it makes it a lot easier to find the time and energy to accomplish this.    Understanding goes a long way toward the feeling of being in control. When you feel in control of your computing experience, the irrational feelings of rage will probably go away or at least be minimized. This doesn't mean that you will no longer get mad or upset with your computer, far from it, just that you will be more likely do it for a real cause.    How do you acquire the information and skills you need to feel in control of your computer? One good way is to go to a computer user's group. Unfortunately, if you are the person this article is about you are probably not getting this newsletter. My suggestion is that those of you who are getting this newsletter give a copy of this article to your friends that have computer rage.    There is no restriction against any non-profit group using this article as long as it is kept in context with proper credit given the author. The Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an international organization of which this group is a member, brings this article to you.
Number 255 - August 2004