When Did I Become Computer Literate???
By alaskanray
@alaskanray (4636)
United States
December 30, 2010 12:53pm CST
I do not, in any way, shape, or form, consider myself a computer expert. I am barely computer literate. I still have a hard time figuring out what I want in a computer when I go shopping for one. All I have learned about computers I have learned either on the job or by trial and error. Since I have a hard time reading, I can't pick up a book and learn about computers that way, either.
Well, the other day a friend of mine called me to come help her with her computer. She had just gotten it back from the shop and was having a hard time finding her email and Facebook, which are about the only things she does online. I ended up showing her how to do basic maintenance and even had to teach her what a link was! Now I'm her on-call tech support for simple basics on her computer.
It makes me feel good because I rely on others for so much. It's nice to be able to help someone else for a change.
How about you? Is there someone you are able to help out with simple computer issues? Isn't it wonderful to be able to give?
2 people like this
3 responses
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
31 Dec 10
:) I have a computer degree, so I have people asking me for help a lot. But even so I know exactly how you feel because there are so many things I don't know about computers and I always have to seek help online, or ask people who know more than me. I'm good with the internet and software and things like that, but I know nothing about hardware or when computers crash and have viruses I always refer people to someone else.
It is nice to know how to do things, even if it is as simple as explaining to someone how to "Like" a news network on Facebook :) I'm often surprised how hard it is to explain something so simple like that over the phone, and it goes to show that many people still don't know much about computers.
BTW - I still have some relatives who believe it or not don't have a computer. I don't know how they survive!
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
31 Dec 10
Correction...I guess it's been more like 12 years since I first got online. Time flies when you're having fun. 
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
31 Dec 10
We tell our relatives that too - go to a library! My mom is a librarian so she knows what she's talking about when she recommends that. Nope, they go to our house instead :) They ask us to look stuff up for them or help them pay a bill online or whatever. In our case I think it's more that they are scared of the technology than refusing to use it. Some older people assume they will never get it, so they don't even try.
I do everything online as well! It's too the point where I have to really search for my checkbook whenever I need to write a physical check, b/c I hardly ever use it :) I've been online for about 14 years I'd say. My sister was in college in 1997 and got free dial-up internet through school.
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
31 Dec 10
Oh, I know what you mean about the checks. I got a single book of 25 checks free from Vista print two years ago and right now I'm just starting to run low...I think I have about 5 left. And I never keep my checkbook up to date. I just budget for the few checks I do write and wait for them to clear before I do anything more with my account. Online billpay is so much easier and less expensive. I love not having to buy stamps to pay bills with.
And I never keep my checkbook up to date. I just budget for the few checks I do write and wait for them to clear before I do anything more with my account. Online billpay is so much easier and less expensive. I love not having to buy stamps to pay bills with.
@gunagohan (3414)
• India
31 Dec 10
Yes, it's very good and i too help some of my friends with the basic problems they face and i even get some information from my friends if something which is unable to solve by myself whether it's hardware or any softwares..
I just do things and feel that i have grown this far..
Before 10 years, it's very hard that everybody would be feared to open the computer box if they find any problem, they have to call the techie for resolving it..But, now it has become different where everybody is ready to open their computer and see what makes the problem..
This is quite good!!
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
31 Dec 10
Just this year I learned to reformat my own hard drive...although I must admit that I'm not very good at it. After reformatting, I lost the ability to burn dvds and also lost my wifi. Time for the computer to visit the doctor, I think. Still, I am able to use my computer despite these little problems and at least I did get my hard drive cleaned up. 
@connierebel (1557)
• United States
30 Dec 10
Being a rather experienced computer user, I often help my family members with their computer issues. Actually they pretty much got started using computers with my help. I don't know a whole lot of the technical stuff, but I am pretty experienced with web issues and usually can wing it for simple technical problems. It is great to be able to have useful knowledge you can share with others. And teaching others helps me to learn more myself.
1 person likes this
