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General discussion

Why are computers still so difficult to use?

Feb 11, 2011 6:14AM PST
Question:

Why are computers still so difficult to use?


Hi, Lee, I know this is not the technical question you normally receive, but I was hoping you can have your community members help me out in a big way.

As a final year college student I need to carry out an independent project looking at an issue in the domain of my subject. I chose the question, "Why are computers still so difficult to use?" To start my project I compiled several questions to explore experiences of computer users (see below). A summary of what I am wanting to look at are competency levels of users with computers, how they got into using them, the time they'll spend on them in a day, their challenges and how they manage them, their happiness in using them, their thoughts on the increasing functionality/pervasiveness of computers, and their opinions as to whether computing is any easier now. It would be great if you could give me some pointers as to suitable themes you think would make a good project--even if you were to challenge the title! Could you also tell me of the context in which you use computers (e.g., as a software developer, moderate user, etc.)? Thanks in advance for everyone's help. Here are the questions I would like to ask the community:
Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

Here are the questions I would like to ask the community:

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?

--Submitted by Ronald G. of Warwick University in UK


If you would like to help out Ronald with his college project and answer his survey, click the link below and click the "reply" to submit your answers:

Discussion is locked

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Why are computers still so difficult to use
Feb 20, 2011 12:39AM PST

Well, I think that's not true. I started using computers about 1963 with the 8090. You have to write your own codes, punch the cards and sent it overnight to get it checked out. You get it back the next day so you can either run it or to correct it.

Its much easier now with all the available software. In fact there is so much out there that you can't possibly take all the advantages.

Who would think that you can now take digital pictures and use software to make changes to your picture that look nothing like the picture you took. That's a benefit of computers.

I am answering your question and listening to Beethoven at the same time right now.

No, things are much better though you have to learn in order to take advantage of all the capabilities and possibilities.

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Great Topic, first time responding
Feb 20, 2011 1:38AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? 1986, TRS-80, I was in the 7th grade and my school set up a lab for us to play with. I remember being the first in my class to successfully program it to play "When the Saints Go Marching In"

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? Yes, that system was quite simple and each time I used a newer computer it was just another increment more complex.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? I think my biggest challenge was Windows ME on a laptop and not being able to figure out how to get it to stop crashing.

-- Do you have any challenges even now? Occasionally, but nothing seems insurmountable when it comes to my desktop or laptop. The biggest thing is making my smart phone do certain things that the provider doesn't want me to do.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? Forums, I figure any problem I have, at least one other has had it too and turned to a forum for an answer, so I start there.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? Yes, there are so many communities of people out there dealing with the same issues and its easy to communicate with them.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? During the week ~12 hours/day, between my smart phone, desktop and laptop for productivity, entertainment and work.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? Yes, now I just want them all to interact with each other seamlessly with my smart phone at the center of it all.

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Reply - Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 20, 2011 4:28AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

Based on what I'd assume you'd consider a computer, I would say a Commodore 64. But actually it would be before that on an 8 bit octal system in the U.S. Navy.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?

Back then? Yes, there was a plethora of magazines, books, clubs and BBS's.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?

Back then the real hurdle was the insane cost. Think $350 for a single sided 5 1/2" floppy drive.

Since most of the early machines allowed you to program them the learning curve was your only limitation.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

There are always irritating things that drive one to the 'net to hopefully find an application that does what you're looking to do. i.e. bulk renaming of files, determining size of folders, combining files, un-deleting files, merging photographs, adding transparent backgrounds to graphics etc.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?

Now that 1TB hard drives are below $100. I simply copy everything onto hard drives,label them and put them back into their original packaging. I expect an annual validation. Writable CD's and DVD's don't seem to last very long.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?

My answer would be the speed at which any task can be accomplished. Loading programs, saving files, printing anything requiring a final output. All much faster now and at better quality.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?

8 to 10 hours typically, can be as much as 16.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?

Considering that I program and maintain Safety Shutdown/Instrumented Systems and Turbine Controls I'd say yes, because when compared to the "old" way of doing things I can get more done faster with less effort.

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You might have misread one of the questions
Apr 20, 2011 8:13AM PDT

"Did you/do you have any coping strategies?"

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As a retired 74 year old woman I have seen a lot of change .
Feb 20, 2011 6:15AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? I, a 74 year old retired woman, bought my XP Turbo with a 20 mg HD for home use in 1987. I was fifty years old and just getting back into the job market as my kids were grown and I needed to "catch up" in order to be marketable. had Word Perfect and Quicken (which was a brand new program) loaded on.

-Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? It often took persistence but was fun because I was not a technical professional but learned through making mistakes (only wiped out one hard drive) but refusing to give up.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? It is been pretty straightforward as I have continued to upgrade regularly. While working I was always surrounded by co-workers with whom I could discuss issues, new software, etc with but now that I am retired and living in a retirement community there aren't a lot of knowledgeable sources - especially other women - around. Most use computers for e-mail but when I have a network go down suddenly or a new wireless printer not recognized, I am on my own. I can always pay but prefer to save the money.

-- Do you have any challenges even now? I think computers are built for the highly technical - plug and play is a great idea but rarely that simple. I am doing fine, but friends of my generation are still a good market but are reticent because of the complexities. I am often called upon because a printer won't work, or a shortcut has disappeared - all simple to solve but not user friendly for those who haven't worked previously in a computer environment or who don't just enjoy it like I do.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? Google is my new best friend when I have a problem. Always available and amazingly able to understand my questions.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? Not sure. Some are but I feel the pressure to not let the technology get ahead of me. Because once I get behind it will be impossible to catch up.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? Three or four hours. Some more, some less.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? My husband and I love the availability of an iPhone and/or iPad for staying in touch wherever we go. A lot easier to take along than even a laptop. Texting is great for keeping in touch with family. And even Facebook lets us be connected.

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One Last Point
Feb 20, 2011 6:21AM PST

As you review all of these answers, the answers will be a case of "depends". It not only depends on what you want to do with them (communicate? create documents? spreadsheets? Program the computers?) but also what your backround is. If you ask all of the questions, the answer will depend on whether you are talking to a mainframe person, a developer, someone who learned CP/M or DOS, or someone who worked with the MAC or even windows. Is the person tech-savy? or just a user who wants to run a web browser? Even amoung developers, there are those of us who like to work with machine-code and assembler and those who work with older laguages such as COBOL and FORTRAN and those who work with JAVA or with scripts.

The word "difficult" is always a relative term. It depends on one's idea of of "difficult". If you told a person who got a "blue screen" to debug the problem and come up with a solution, most of you probably would not be able to. I think it all depends.

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Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 20, 2011 6:25AM PST

In the order of the questions:
Yes -- 1984
Yes -- because I started with a Fat Mac, not a PC with a DOS OS
Yes -- in all respects, and at all times
No -- still using Macs (MacBook Pro, and iMac)
Yes -- I always take an AppleCare extended warranty with a new machine
???
2 hours minimum, 10 hours maximum
Very much so

Good luck

AHR

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Survey Answers
Feb 20, 2011 6:31AM PST

1. My 1st use was back in 1974 when my school got a portable "programmable" calculator. If I remember correctly, this was an HP. It had a punch card reader, a "massive" 2Kb of memory and had proven itself to be quicker than humans at mathematical problem solving.
Other than that, the next true computer was a Digital Equipment Corporation's (DEC)PDP11 at a technical college where I was learning computer programming in 1984.

2. 1974 - yes - with a little training. 1984 - no - learning computer languages (basic, cobol, fortran, etc.) took a lot of training.

3. No. As my main job was as a Radio technician, computers had to come 2nd. Challenges:
. Family/work/home had to come first which left little time for any hobbies/interests.
. Finances. It was 1988 before I was able to purchase my 1st computer - a Commodore Amiga 500. Difficult to justify that money - but I did it!

4.Yes. Time management still! Although I am now running my own IT business, I still can't get enough time to practice and try even half the things I want to do.

5. Yes - attitude. Do what I have to. The rest is a bonus.

6. No. About the same.

7. Around the 8 to 12 hour mark.

8. Yes. Especially with research.

Hope this is not too late. Good luck with your studies. I hope you do well Ronald.

Peter Mc - Australia

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Response
Feb 20, 2011 8:11AM PST

Here are the questions I would like to ask the community:

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? About 19821

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? Yes - for me.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? No - as programs/operating systems have become more complex, it has become more difficult to manage. Biggest problem has been growing program size withhout buying a new computer every two years.

-- Do you have any challenges even now? Yes. I am not familiar with what needs to be running in the registry and other operating processes so I cannot make enough changes to allow my original RAM to operate more efficiently. I am adding more RAM this evening in the hioe that the Computer will operate better and faster. There also seem to be more conflicts btween sofftware now that hang up the machine.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? I scream! Besides that, I try to end unresponsive programs (I use WinXP) which does not always work. I have switched browsers several times and all seem to have some deficiencies with regards to messages. Some attachments do not work with the various players I have installed (taking up more rooom) and that is frustrating.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? No

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? While at work, 9 hours; now about only 1.5.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? Not too much - they are two separate issues and I do not appreciate the growing size of operating systems.

--Submitted by Ronald G. of Warwick University in UK

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Why are computers so difficult to use
Feb 20, 2011 10:05AM PST

1.I bought my first computer in 1978 a 20 lb portable at 46 years of age.
2. I had no trouble using the computer and taking it to work with me to make my administrative work "easier"
3. I have worked my way from C prompt to current use of my 10th computer. I have not really read the manuals and have done well with the help screens.
I use digital cameras, scanners etc.etc. daily now that I am retired I use the computer for research, email photoshop 3-4 hours/day
4. I could not imagine life withoout my computer and my internet. good luck

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Re: Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 20, 2011 3:54PM PST

1 - I learned to program (assembler language) 1958
Started programming for work ca. 1961
Started using for personal work and play 1980's
2 - No, not easy. I was paid to do it & help
others.
3 - Each new technology was a challenge. Each
advance brought more power, but I had less
control.
4 - No, journey has been uneven - some real
setbacks
(e.g., Vista, incompatibility of upgrades ...)
5 - Yes, plenty of challenges even now.
(USB problems & DVD-write problems currently)
6 - Forums and friends are helpful at coping.
Sometimes the only way to cope is buy a new
(used, but new for me) computer.
7 - Looking back, I learn from solving past
challenges, but technology changes faster than
I can keep up.
8 - I often spend most of my day at the computer-
the volume of information there is overwhelming.
9 - Yes I appreciate the advances, but the costs are
also great.

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Computers easier to use and more difficult to understand
Feb 20, 2011 6:40PM PST

I started using computers in 1972 at university, programming in Fortran then went on in my professional life to programming in Pascal, Basic and some C.

I didn't find it too difficult, but I'm an engineer (not a computer or software engineer) and it was one of the things you had to be able to do. I always enjoyed working on computers (it's cleaner than chemical engineering!)

It's not been too difficult a journey, but it has meant relearning basics on a regular basis. The worst thing has been the feeling of ever-increasing loss of control. I no longer feel that I know what is going on - this has been a progressive process since the IBM PC basically took over the world. From that point on, you no longer programmed the machines yourself, but bought other people's programs and ran them. Exactly the same has happened with cars - in the 1970s, I did my own servicing and was not afraid of taking the engine apart to fix a problem. Now they are so complex, I don't like to touch anything.

The main challenges have been keeping on top of new developments and keeping well-informed about security risks.

My coping strategies are threefold. First, I'm the director of a large technical agency, so I have staff who are expert and I first ask them for advice. However, not everybody knows everything these days, so I (or my staff) frequently resort to Google or to IT chat rooms, blogs and help services. I'm also security-obsessed and keep three backups of my files in different places.

Computers are easier to use than in the past, but they're very different beasts now. No average person would dream of writing their own programmes to do normal tasks any more. In fact I wouldn't even know how to begin to programme a Windows 7 machine.

I spend 8 to 10 hours a day using a computer at work and at home.

I do appreciate the added functionality enormously - one rapidly forgets just what was not possible even 15 years ago. However, the ubiquity and power of computers comes at a price. A few years ago, we had a complete power cut at work for several hours and people just had to go home - the computers were so vital to every facet of work, that, without them, it was just impossible to do anything. That's a dangerous degree of dependency.

I think one point needs to be emphasised. You cannot take the results of this set of answers as in any way representative of the general population. Every person replying to this is either very computer-savvy or is generally technical and has an interest in computers, like me. What I worry about is the general population that does not fall into those categories. Computer manufacturers are not at all forthcoming about the dangers and risks of how we use computers, they're only interested in selling more and more ever-newer boxes. I am quite paranoid about losing my documents, photos and music files, etc having had two disk crashes in my life so far, so I have my home system locked down as tightly as I can. When warnings pop up or the computer asks whether to allow an action, I generally know what to reply, but that cannot be true of the general population, as the questions are never asked in simple language. As my wife (who is a musician) often says in answer to some computer-related question "how in hell am I supposed to know that?".

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;-)
Feb 20, 2011 9:48PM PST

I was thinking the same thing myself as I read post after post of the same type of "I started when computers took up a whole room" bragging rights. These people are not the average user, but are more the demographic slice of who reads these forums. If computers are to be the everyday appliance they are being marketed as, they need to make some aspects either as easy as using a microwave, or provide a DVD with every new computer that shows people in plain English (or whatever language) how the heck to use the thing.

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Not So Much Bragging Rights
Feb 22, 2011 12:31PM PST

Those of us who are "Older than Dirt" are not really bragging (even though you might think that from the tone). The questions were asked about when we started and how were things back then. These are very wise questions because back then we did not have a "GUI". There was absolutely NOTHING that anyone would apply the word "intuitive" to. There were no APPS. There was no word processor, nor spreadsheet. There was no "help" function either.

Therefore, the concept of "was the computer easy to use when you first started" was a resounding NO. You had to have training. You were forced to read the manual. There was no other way.

You wanted an APP? You wrote it yourself in some early language? Your Excel spreadsheet was something you had to forget about and just write a program in BASIC or FORTRAN to get the information you needed.

So, if you ask someone who started with computers after the PC was invented, you would get a different response to the questions about difficulty of use when you first started rather than the time when there were no such things as applications.

Some of us need to make sure the people doing the study really understand this, if they are keeping score.

Those who just blatently think computers today are easy should think again:

1) If your boss at work handed you a LINUX computer and all you knew were windows and asked you to do something with it, how fast would you be able to do that?

2) If someone at work has a PC that is hanging up or getting Blue Screens, would you be answering the question of "why?" by just shrugging and wiping out the PC with all of its data or being able to come up with an answer. Sometimes your boss wants his stuff recovered and not formatted away.

Some who work in "IT" need to be able to do these things whether or not they are easy things to do. So, it goes back to "what kind of user are you?" and "what are you using this computer for?".

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Why are computers difficult?
Feb 20, 2011 9:58PM PST

There is a disconnect of the understanding between features and benefits. Gee Whiz! features are given more importance than the benefits user will derive. The most salient reason: Developers and implementors are not REQUIRED to use the software in a production environment on a regular basis. That would dramatically change their approach and products.

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Tell that to the folks at Adobe and Microsoft
Feb 20, 2011 10:34PM PST

A big Amen to those who just posted saying that computers are still confusing to a lot of people in the general population. And I think that's who Ronald was trying to reach in his survey. It is good that he gets answers from experts, but he is also getting a good representation from the average computer user. And a big Amen to Rob10 and Saprising about how the need to make computers easier to understand - in layman's terms.

That was one of the greatest gifts given to me, by a friend from a local chamber of commerce - asking me to explain things not in computer-speak, but in layman's terms. Take the time to define in terms people will understand some of the terminology and technical mumbo-jumbo. I just wish Adobe and Microsoft would do all of this with ease of use in mind. They should take people out of the colleges and universities, and out of design firms, and off the street for some programs, and have them actually test the product before it's released. To me, it's more important that the product is truly user-friendly than full of complex goodies.

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The developers-scripters are, already, doing just that.
Feb 21, 2011 4:59AM PST

The testing has been included into a newly reformed way of programming-developing called: Builds. That also means, they will undergo rebuilding the software build all over again, non-stop, until one day, it works perfectly to all devs and throngs of testers.

Unfortunately, once the software is launched, onto the many facets of this enigmatic world of ours, more challenges will show themselves as non-percievables. There are, right now, way too many types of PCs of all kinds of country bound, culture based assemblies of these machines. That specific software,is, bound, to fail, abroad. From North Americas point of view, just as, Asia's point of view. So, further testing is required by every single user whom bought this software from their own locale.

In other words: The universal computer will never exist, ever again. So, since the start of the 1990's upto now, it is impossible to predict the proper functionality of a PC other that of the logical perception of compatibility of the parts within it. It's software has to comply to your own PC's configuration or, conjure up another custom build of a PC to properly comply to the recommended specifications demanded by the software.

Hope that this Layman's words only use of a detailed explanation of today's(1991 to 2011) PCs uses will enlighten, most of you, readers.
Happy

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Layman's ?
Feb 21, 2011 7:28AM PST

Genius. just Genius.

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the real reason
Feb 20, 2011 11:02PM PST

Ronald G asked a bunch of specific questions and people mostly responded to those. But the answer to hte Base Questions of why are computers so difficult to use is as follows... They are and OPEN and ADAPTABLE SYSTEM. IF you designed one to just do one task - ex: Display Books on a tablet to be read, they would be simple. And those are easy to use.
If you designed one to just go on line and browse the internet and load up internet pages and do nothing else, it would be simple. But you can take a computer and set it up to do anything from design airplane parts in CAD and print the bluprints on a plotter, to write and publish a book, ready yo go to a the book printer, to log and control inventory in a giant corporation and automatically reorder items and track both retail customers and wholesale sources and all the money moving thru the corporation. OR run an online business. Or calculate physics problems. etc etc. As such it can be loaded up with a large number of different operating systems and programs and the computers themselves are not homogeneous the come in many types and sizes. Thus the interactions are almost infinite and therefore contain myriad unexpected permutations, interactions and anomalies... and THAT is why they are dificult to use.

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Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 20, 2011 11:29PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? 1981, IBM mainframe, CYBER? followed by TRS-80, VAX mainframe, Apple micro, IBM PC, countless Macintoshes, Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, 7,? SQL Server, Coldfusion, xhtml, and whatever.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? Yes. Time consuming (keypunch cards) but there was only one way to do things, which made it simple.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
In the early 80's, the challenge was to match hardware to hardware, in order to run a few simple programs on the early "PC" (mine was aTRS-80 color computer), requiring some electronic and soldering skills. In the 90's, Apple went through a period of selling substandard computers, which had me drifting from one machine to another. In the 2000's, by necessity I'm with MS Windows (now 7), but Microsoft has yet to come up with a new, comprehensive platform that does away with 1980's style patterns (see below).

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
Yes. They're called Microsoft Windows. Regrettably, MS won the battle over Win'95, which looked to me like a close copy of the 1983 Apple Macintosh OS. Ever since, despite all the claims, Windows has not evolved. Its filing system still evokes the pre-Macintosh Lisa: a two-dimensional arrangement of folders. What's worse, Windows 7 now produces "Libraries" that reproduce directories also found under "Users", but with a different arrangement. Applications seem to open the most remote folder possible when you use "Save as?". File management in Windows, using this 1983-standard principle, is a disaster. Backing up files is cumbersome unless you have a good aftermarket synchronizing utility. The constant "are you sure" nagging is a time waster and annoying to experienced users. Lengthy procedures can't run without babysitting - set up a process that will run for 45 minutes, go to a meeting, and come back to find that it ran about 3 minutes and then stopped with some message "do you want to continue?".
Overall, Windows gives the impression of the world's dumbest assistant, in charge of thousands of files, stored in a hodge-podge of folders, directories, levels, drives.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
I'm hoping that someone will develop a truly innovative operating system, on the level of Steve Jobs' invention of the graphic user interface . It should have a three-dimensional filing system, not up and down the "chicken ladder", as I call it. Like in a physical archive, we should be able to move forward, backward, up, and down. Folders are OK but should be contained in a sphere that one can rotate. The next file management system, in my opinion, could look like a planetary arrangement, with "planets" (disk drives) orbiting around the central processing unit. Each planet contains documents in a three-dimensional way. Everything would be laid out for fast access and secure storage. And please, no more puppydogs and other dancing baloney.
The other innovation of my dreams is an interface that doesn't make me part expert (Windows service manager, administrative tools,?) and part idiot ("are you sure?", "files are hidden for your own good", or something like that). Do away with the annoying pop-up messages and show them in a sidebar for information. Offer an idiot mode for people who are afraid of computers, but let the rest of us do our work. Has anyone ever figured out why there's a need to hit "OK" after a format is complete, or some other process finishes? Other than the programmer's ego, being able to command our attention after a requested task was carried out? Why does Windows came across as so arrogant and "we know better than you do"? Just do the job, put messages in a side frame somewhere, and quit being such an attention hog.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
No. In the past, a task was a task - the machine would carry it out and that's that. Now, we get pestered by junk at every single turn (and I don't mean just the WWW). Windows clutters itself up with junk and innumerable "updates" that eventually slow the computer to a crawl. Applications like MS Word offer so many "features" that it becomes difficult to execute simple, straightforward tasks without going through a bewildering array of junk.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? 10-12 hours

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? Yes, I find the international character of the WWW helpful, educational, and culturally enlightening. The number crunching capability of computers (= what they were originally intended for) helps greatly with research, banking, taxes, and everything else involving "hard data". What's lacking is a good, clean operating system without MS-DOS at the bottom and puppydogs at the top.

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they are like women
Feb 21, 2011 1:38AM PST

Hello - I skimmed through the replies before going out for supper and found 10 new contributions when I returned. There is one thing you should remember whenever you ponder problems of this magnitude: electronic devices are like women. You never know when they will go crazy, from which direction the attack will come, what the reason for it is )if there is one) and how long it will last,or how long it will take you to recuperate. Therefore you should take all replies, including the very serious and well-meant ones, and including mine, *** grano salis. Now to the replies:
1) 1974, when I bought a hand held calculator for what was then $ 70.-.
2) At first yes, but it became more difficult over the years, because computers developed faster than I did
3) I started programming, but did not really need it as I had professionals to do it for me. When the languages became a real pain, I just quit.
4) Yes, sifting through all the innovations to see what I really need or fancy.
5) Do not upgrade or branch out unless it is really necessary
6) Much easier, as the brain gets used to the cyberage.
7) Between 2 and 8 hours, depending on my mood and the challenges of the day.
Cool It makes life easier in some respects and more stressful in others. But this is the time I was born in, so there is not much I can do about it.

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Ongoing challenges
Feb 21, 2011 1:13AM PST

I believe one of the larger challenges with computing today is spyware and adware. Many times this software comes preinstalled on a new computer and causes a lot of grief for new users. Once the "trial" software quits working, the vendor continues to nag the user to purchase the full version. This leaves clutter in the system tray for newbies who don't know how to get rid ot it.

The same issue can be said for programs downloaded off the internet. Even though most reputable vendors offer a way to opt out, it is sometimes buried in the fine print. Unscrupulous vendors install unwanted spyware even if you opt out.

Many entry level computers with slow processors and minimal RAM compound the problem, by loading up junkware on a marginal system. Right out of the box, the computer is loading many unneeded apps that strangle the performance and reduce the user's satisfaction of the product.

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RE: Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 21, 2011 12:55PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? 1988. First computer was a Commadore 64. I was five years old at the time I started play with computers.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? Yes, as I got older I got better.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? Home PC easy. Work PC not so easy. We program logic controllers and with new upgrades to Windows 7 old software is not supported. We have to keep certain softwares and the XP Mode does not always work with each software package. We have desktops and laptops to take to the field. Some clients have ancient equipment and I have to do dos programming to get the software to run Sad

-- Do you have any challenges even now? Yes, typically from software. Sometimes hardware. Work computers are loaded with tons of software. The main problem is they all want to be your main software package and at times overwrite existing files that other programs use. Some programs also use system resources and the process has to be ended in order to make those resources available for other programs to run.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? At first you don't succeed try Tech Support. If you don't have tech support then google it. The issues I get are typically not on google Sad

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? Nope. Sometimes tech support has never encountered my problems so we solve it together.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? 8-12hrs.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? Computers are way better now than before. I do appreciate the growing functionality of computers but not the unreliability of them. I program PLC's and these items are small computers that only run the program I write and that means no viruses or software incompatibility.

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Maybe bold statment but because..
Feb 21, 2011 4:03PM PST

People are discouraged to learn how to use computers with 'intuitive' interfaces and so on. But interface is doomed to change quickly so computers are hard to use.

In case person gains idea that he can really use computer after learning more about it then it becomes normal. Not easy, but not hard too.

At all 'using computer' is hard to understand term. It is not clear if person who clicks on icon actually uses computer. It is almost opposite. Let me explain more. person encounters error window and THAT windows tells person what to do. Person reads it and carries out new orders from computer.
That is bad concept from roots.

Person should learn as more as possible how to control, script, program computer. Then he will be really using it.

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Computers are harder to use now but they do more.
Feb 22, 2011 12:48AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?
In 1985 on a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
Well, yeah... I was 6-years old at the time. The computer had no graphical user interface. With my father who knew a little bit of English, we were able to figure out how to load games from cassette tapes, how to navigate through the menus. There were no mouse, no windows, no hidden menus, just keystrokes. So overall, I had a relatively easy time working on the Spectrum (with no English, mind you). We later learned to use the built in BASIC interpreter, and I started writing simple programs, looking at code that was already there, looking at what these commands actually do when you run the code, and figuring out everything by trial and error. There is no way you could do that with the computers now.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
Back then I couldn't figure out how to save a program I wrote on the BASIC interpreter to a cassette, and I still wonder about that even now! Happy
I started using an Apple IIe next which was straight forwards. Then Windows 3.1 which was a lot more complicated but manageable. Later MacOS 7 which baffled me at the time due to its drastically different user interface and file formats. After internet, things became easier since you could learn from other people's experiences. Then came Windows 95, which was baffling as well, but I do recall having an easy time with it. Then in grad school came irix/aix/linux workstations and Windows ME. I probably lost a lot of hair due to the latter one. Then in 2002 I switched to MacOS X (10.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and finally 6) which also took some time getting used to due to changes in the user interface, but was probably the best experience I had after the Sinclair and Apple IIe. I also used XP for ~5 years at home, which was quite stable and and also familiar in its use due to the similarities its UI has with Win95/98. I remember I had a difficult time understanding networking, and setting up home networks was really difficult for me on the PC initially.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
With networking came a boom in security threats and I still have difficulty explaining to my parents what they should and shouldn't do. There are always issues with getting programs to work right with the operating system, driver problems etc. but other than that things are easier now then how they used to be 10 years ago, (though more difficult then how they were 20 years ago).

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
Google is a lifesaver!

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
See two Qs up.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
~5 hours

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?
Sometimes. Computers do a LOT more than what they used to do 20 years ago, which makes their design a challenge. You used to buy just a knife, but everything on the market now are swiss-army knives. So the ease of cutting things with them is drastically affected by this. Better thought and more consistent UIs are desperately needed. Computers also creep into places they need not do. My microwave used to have two dials: Power, Time. Now it has 35 buttons and an LCD display on it. It's performance is the same but it's much MUCH harder to use.

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re why are computers still so difficult to use
Feb 22, 2011 2:40AM PST

Can you remember when you started using computers? yes when i started secondary school in 2002

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
no. it seemed so complex. even the steps involved in turning on the computer right i rehersed so it wouldnt go wrong

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
i own a laptop and desktop and intereact with a computer every day of the year so its easy. i think if people can access one at least once a week it wont be that overwhelming/ challenging

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
- i dont even want to learn how to use twitter- lol. besides that, no!

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
-get help at your local library in how to use a computer. i think they have classes for newbies. google everything. if you dont know how to send an email, google it and you sure will get a step by step guide

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
- yes. when i had access to a computer in 2002, i did not have access to the internet so that was a limitation. now the internet is everywhere so that is a big help

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
-3-4 hrs per day. may be more, may be less

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?- yes

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using computers
Feb 22, 2011 3:06AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? sometime before 1970

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? It was horrible - and dealt with many cards that were produced by the computer

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? Challenge was working with a new computer and learning the language that worked - there was new language with every computer until windows became feasible - maybe it was sometime in the 80's, but I'm not sure

-- Do you have any challenges even now? There's always a new challenge - and I love it!

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? I find it best to breathe, to take time, and to get away from the computer for at least 1/2 hour if I'm having problems with something new. That will tell me if I can figure it out some more, or else call someone for help.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? They are probably more complicated now, but I'm older and probably have a bit more patience, and I know when to call for help.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? I usually work at a computer all day in the library - and all weekend on websites.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? Yes, I love it, and I wish I had time to learn more, but I am getting old

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why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 22, 2011 5:10AM PST

Around about 2002.

I didn't find it as hard as I might have because my teenage son helped me.

I suppose the most challenging thing was dealing with viruses etc, that I unfortunately experienced quite often when I first had a laptop.

Occasionally down-loading things don't go to plan, or silly things like my up-graded version of Windows7 freezes.

Try not to panic and if what you try fails, look on a forum such as this, or ask advice.

Easier because you usually learn from your mistakes and can often remember similar problems in the past.

Around one to 5 hours.

Not entirely and I'm always looking for more advice and answers.

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mostly a casual gamer
Feb 28, 2011 9:52AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? 1985 a tandy 1000

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? It was fairly easy but I gave up until high school computer class.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? My first experience was a little frustrating. I gave up for years and went back at it in high school. I gave up again until my 20's and now I've built six systems for family and friends.

-- Do you have any challenges even now? Software is always changing too fast and not user friendly enough as many posts have stated. I have skipped several windows operating systems while waiting for the next one.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? Yelling at things doesn't work although I do it anyway. I use google and forums alot.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? More knowledge and experience are a wonderful thing, but the problems progress as I age as well.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? Anywhere from zero to four hours. I do not work with computers as I am a heavy equipment operator.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? Yes
Good luck with your research.

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hard to use
Mar 3, 2011 6:56AM PST

I think the computer is hard to use because innovation is constantly held as at a greater value than stability, particularly at an interface level. If you know how to do something from 15 years ago, it probably is near worthless now (outside of coding).


-- Can you remember when you started using computers? 1984?

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? It was text based, so yeah, for what you could do.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? Getting my head around graphical interfaces. I still dislike picking up my hand to click with the mouse when I could have typed it already.

-- Do you have any challenges even now? Every new interface slows my productivity (particularly Office 2007's new Ribbon interface. Rubbish).

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? Adapt and not upgrading unless forced to.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? I can't imagine start over at this point. I think the keyboard is the centerpiece of a computer, but now it is just another input device to many.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? 6-8 hours.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? Up to a point. The internet makes it compelling in a way it wasn't in the 80s and early 90s.