Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

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

- Collapse -
Why are computers so difficult to use?
Feb 11, 2011 11:18AM PST

I have been using and building my own computers since 1990. I think the most difficult aspect of computing is keeping up with the latest drivers and continuous updating of anti-virus and anti-malware programs. It seems like new threats are always popping up and it's difficult to keep up with the programs that prevent them from hurting your computer.
Another difficulty is that Microsoft is constantly creating new operating systems. It seems no sooner was I getting getting familiar with Windows 3.0, it was upgraded to 3.1. Obviously other new systems continued from Windows 95 through the new Windows 7. Each upgrade required more hard drive space, more ram, and more speed. Enough is enough already. How can you succeed with the familiarity of an operating system when it constantly changes?
My disappointment doesn't stop here. I have many really great DOS game s which will not work with the newer Windows operating systems. Windows 95 was the last system that was truly compatible with the older DOS games.
My computer as is will not run Windows 7. If I want to use version 7, I have to purchase a new motherboard, change my ram, and a bunch of other hardware.
I am a school teacher. Believe me when I convey to you that technology via computing is not only expected but necessary for success with the SOL's of education. A student without a computer is at a drastic disadvantage with little chance of success. Even the SOL's are taken on a computer.
I do find the availability of information on the Internet to be the strength of computing. The valuable resources outweigh the negatives associated with the constant updating of java or Adobe, and other necessities to allow for proper observation of screens.
Sure it was easier in the days of DOS where you could easily control your setup with a config.sys, autoexec batch file, and a few sound card parameters, but the limitations were quite extensive compared to today's offerings. Imagine the change from 16 colors to millions or 4 bit to 128 bit sounds on a Soundblaster.
I am sure I could go on, but, hopefully some of my opinion will help you in your quest for answers.
As Rod Serling would say, "submitted for your consideration"
S.Lewis

- Collapse -
Why are computers still so difficult to use SURVEY
Feb 11, 2011 11:39AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? Yes, 1984 with a Commodore 64 machine.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? No...you had to learn BASIC DOS type commands for file functions, to load programs, etc.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? First learning the Apple based GUI OS (GEOS) for C64 a few years later.
Finally got an IBM based system in '94 and had to learn Windows 3.0 and Dos 4, learned how to tweek the performance thru editing Autoexec/config.sys files. Then learning Win95, 98, XP, Vista, 7. Learniing how to upgrade hardware components ie. math coprocessor on first ibm 486sx-25 and replace Cdrom, add ram; eventually learning how to build system from components and installing OS.

-- Do you have any challenges even now? Still can't use the real Photoshop hardly at all!

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
Reading the HELP files.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? Learning to use OS's are easier, but Photoshop is still a PITA!

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? A few hours or more, some for work, mostly for leisure/home like internet, Email, Forums.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? I can appreciate it when it's done properly with Intuitive menus and functions, otherwise I merely TOLERATE it. I don't have or want a SMART PHONE. I prefer a real computer, and I'm not addicted to technology or social networking.

- Collapse -
Computers? Difficult? Yeah!
Feb 11, 2011 11:47AM PST

Computers rely on math and electronics, and creating them over the years in the image of human brains is incredibly complex. I started with simple, minimally interactive computers in the early 1970s as a launch officer in ICBMs. The "DAC racks" contained elemenatary computers to deal with launch codes, and in later models with targeting. In the MPT (missile procedures trainer), I fed in training scripts using optical reader tape (holes punched) to tell the master computer what inidators to turn on or off. With no engineering, math, or other technical background, I mainly learned to run it, not understand it. In the early 1980s, I got interested in "personal computers", started with an (for the time) expensive Tandy, learned DOS and played very elementary games. As computers progressed, about every 2 years, I bought a new one, and my son helped me when I got lost in the technical instructions (bless him!). As things got into Windows and DOS began to "fade", I decided to take some classes in case my job ever went computer. In the early 1990s, I went to CSU and took some WordPerfect, Unix, and similar classes, but soon got caught up in learning law (Paralegal) at the local community college (I had a Master's in Social Science, Bachelor's in Journalism). But even they require electives, so I often took computer and communication courses. My nuclear weapon training helped some, but PCs were piled higher and deeper. DOS was a struggle, and Windows was so unstable, I often got frustrated, but felt it was the "wave of the future". It was slowly becoming user (sort of) friendly. Friends and neighbors came to me for help, so I had to learn more. My son built Compaq computers in Houston, and became a Network Administrator: he could help with some things, but not others. I progressed through Windows all the way to my current Win7 Ultimate, including Office (thru 2010 so far), Photoshop, Dragon, and many others. I learned how to research in college, and it has been a most useful skill, helping me to stay somewhat abreast of developments, and choose my computer replacements wisely. My son's office says they love my research emails, which often helps those techs with real-world user experience. Yeah, stupid mistakes, brilliant deductions, and all in between. Retired, I spend 4-6 hours a day doing research, playing AOE III, doing emails, etc. I recently bought a Toshiba laptop for trips, and learned how to use wifi, and how laptops differ from desktops. I also got a netbook for myself and for a schoolgirl friend, and learned their plusses and minuses. I like computers, but prefer human company whenever I can. I'm no tech, but maybe an advanced novice, mostly self-taught. I am a life-long learner, and computing keeps my mind active, and not wasting too much money on tech mistakes. Desktop: Dell Studio XPS 435mt, i7-920, 12 Gb DDR3 1066, BluRay/DVD player, DVD burner, 500 Gb hard drive, UPS, HP Photosmart Premium, Seagate 2 Tb external backup, wired network with D-Link hub (I live in a condo); Win7 Ultimate, Office Home & Business 2010, Dragon 11, Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Elements 9.0, Quicken 2010, TurboTax, games, etc. Toshiba Satellite, i7-720, 8 Gb DDR3 1333, combo (no BluRay) drive, 500 Gb hard drive, HD (720p) TFT screen, Win7 Ultimate, Office H&B 2010, Elements 9.0, UPS, with a 500 Gb external Seagate GoFlex backup. This is my 15th computer, and when I get a new one, usually give the old one to my son for his print server, kids use, etc., and occasionally to a friend "in need". I've helped friends and acquaintances buy over 100 computers in the last 10 years, and all felt (and curretly say) I did good, they are happy despite the expected glitches. So I'm doing ok in my dotage, By the way, my nephew is at London School of Economics currently, and loves England (we have a long lineage there from the 16th Century...Bishop John Overall and brothers). Windows has never really been easy for my generation, except for a few technically advance folks I've met. Most of us still struggle, but it has gotten better in most things. The main challenge is keeping up with Moore's Law, constant updating until the new OS won't work in the unit one has, and simply understanding the horribly complex interaction and effects of the hardware without getting into programming and so on. Hope that helps you in some small way. Richard Overall, Cheyenne, WY (cheyguy@bresnan.net). Bonam Fortunam!

- Collapse -
Are Computers still hard to use
Feb 11, 2011 11:52AM PST

They are difficult to use only to those who do not want to learn.

Can you remember when you started using computers?: In the 80' a friend of our sons gave my wife a dos computer running windows dos 5. I wanted to see how/what made it work.
Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?: Diufficult to begin with but not now.

Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?: Never got the hang of registry entries to make hardware work. Got hooked on games on our sons computers and bought one. When it needed upgrading and and found it couldn't be I started building my own. As Microsoft OS systems became more intelligent and plug and play became universal this became easier. Today I think the person who has never seen a computer whith help matching parts could build one.

Do you have any challenges even now?: Only to remember that electrican, electronic and mechanical this all fail at unecpected times and multiple backups not for the paranoid only.

Did you/do you have any coping strategies?: Back in the days of party lines you didn't say anything over the phone you didn't want the whole world to know. Nobody thinks of the internet as a giant party line.

Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?: Internet devises and providers have removed most all challenges.

On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?: Two to six hours depending on work day following or not.

Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?: Functionality-Yes Pervasiveness-NO! My parents came out of the Dust Bowl and the idea of "If you want to keep it you don't put it in someone elses hands." prevailes. (Banks fail but banks have insurance now- Internet memory vaults are safes that are not surronded by concrete and steel and not insured against loss.)

- Collapse -
Not Difficult to Use
Feb 11, 2011 12:33PM PST

Q. Can you remember when you started using computers?
A. Many years ago, when PC's ran MS-DOS as the operating system
Q. Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
A.At first it was not, but the more I used computers, the more I got used to them, and liked them.
Q. Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
A. Pretty much straightforward, but there have, and are some bumps along the way.
Q. Do you have any challenges even now?
A. Oh yes, I make PC Tech service calls to troubleshoot PC's in people's homes..it's always a challenge!
Q. Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
I come home, and talk to my wife alot, or work in my garden, or drink a glass of wine.
Q. Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
A. Yes, because I have learned more through experience, and using Google alot to find answers. I also take computer science classes at the local college to help stay sharp.
Q. On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
A. 3-4 Hours, I try to break up my day with other activities, staying on a computer all day like some do is not for me thank you.
Q.Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?
A. Yes, and no. It has become too much of a love affair, and not healthy to be ingrossed in technology too much, I loose sight of humanity that way.

- Collapse -
Has gotten about as easy as it gets
Feb 18, 2011 10:23AM PST

1. 1976
2. No
3. Things got much easier when Graphical User Interfaces were developed. I believe this was the point when computers became easily used by the general public.
4. My main issue is that many quality legacy programs cannot be adapted to modern hardware and operating systems.
5. I saved my older equipment and computers to run the legacy applications. I have machines dating to the 1980's and they all work.
6. Most modern applications are straightforward and easy to learn to use. In the 1970's you had to write your own apps by keypunch and there was no room for typographical errors. Things today are simple and probably can't get much easier unless someone develops a direct brain-computer interface which is technically possible.
7. I spend up to 13 hours per day interacting with computers, and that is only at work. Tack on at least 1-2 hours for leisure as I am doing now. However most of the work time is spent without the computer directly in front of me, though the work totally depends on access to the machine and internet.
8. Appreciate has two or more meanings. If you mean am I grateful for modern computing, networks, and the ability to do mass communication on a global scale the answer is an unequivocal yes. If you mean do I comprehend the whole system and know every nook and cranny of computing the answer is no. This answer would have been yes in the 1970's as systems were simple then and you could have the capacity to know it all.

- Collapse -
my answer
Feb 18, 2011 11:41AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? Yes 2004 with MS Paint

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

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? Not hardly, since then i have totalled two laptops an formatted the hard disk on my current one five times

-- Do you have any challenges even now? Yea

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

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? nope the more i do, the harder the challenges.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? lets see...24hr minus the time for school. i use computer/mp3player/cellphone to help me sleep.

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

- Collapse -
My Computer Experience
Feb 11, 2011 12:38PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

Yes, high school--Apple IIe

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

Our math instructor asked some of us to use this computer to process "keypunched" cards. I don't remember the process, but I don't think it was very hard.

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

Mostly, but sometimes there are program conflicts, software glitches, or hardware malfunctions, and these always cause short- or long-term difficulties. The key is to know which issues I can solve and which require others' help.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

See above

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

If the process takes longer than seems reasonable, I enlist the help of either the Better Business Bureau, my state's Attorney General, or possibly other official assistance channels.

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

The challenges have changed. It is never the same issue twice.

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

I work on my computer most of the day, and I also use a cellular phone and other devices--probably 12-20 hours on average days.

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

Mostly yes. It is harder and harder to pinpoint the cause(s) of problems, though, as technology becomes more complex.

- Collapse -
My Computer Experience
Feb 13, 2011 2:44AM PST

Dear Ronald,
I started using computers in the early 1980's. My first computer was a Commodore 64 followed fairly quickly by an IBM XT.

I recall wondering what in the world was a "SYNTAX ERROR" as I was getting started trying to duplicate the poorly written sample programs in the Commodore 64. Later, when I opened up the DOS manual that came with the IBM XT, I realized that computing was not going to be for the faint of heart.

The first part of the manual went into extensive detail concerning memory, sectors, tracks, flip-flops and a lot of other detail which a common layman would have a great deal of difficulty understanding. Example programs in the XT were as bad as the ones in the Commodore. Poor editing of the programs led to cursing and throwing of objects. It was at this point that I realized that had the people who wrote the manuals wanted consumers to learn the computer, they would have put the technical information at the end of the manual. Many computers ended up under the bed or in the basement because of the manual structure.

A few years prior to my starting with computers, there were some guys working with IBM starting a company called Microsoft. A few of the products, called WINDOWS had drifted into the marketplace,but had not drawn my interest. Finally one called WINDOWS 3.1 caught the attention of the company I worked for at the time, so I was dragged reluctantly into it. I'm now using WINDOWS 7 and believe it is more frustrating than 3.1.

The challenges today seem to be much more difficult than in the early days. Companies creating hardware and software are doing their best to drop the label of "proprietary" on everything. Documentation appears to be as vague as possible, and appears to be designed to force users to rely solely upon the issuing company for support. Standardization, (once a buzzword in the industry) has completely flown out the window with enough specialty devices such as data cables, power supplies, etc. to choke a horse.

All in all, I am happy we live in a world where computers allow us access to information that would have taken days to retrieve, but now available in minutes or seconds.

B.G. Readnour

- Collapse -
Using Computers
Feb 11, 2011 12:45PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?
1962

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
No. Computer time on the mainframe was the problem- running simple application programs (FORTRAN) came easily.

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

1...At some point in my career (about 196Cool self-submission of programs became possible. With that, in the early years, came JCL (Job Control Language). Never did understand JCL, just copied and reused those parts of the card decks.
2...About 1970, shared terminals became available for 3270-style individual computing. Learned many languages, always only did application programming, waiting for a shared terminal was a real challenge.
3...Technically, everything came easy till my first personal computer that had a hard disk drive. Getting the concept of a directory and directory tree was fairly quickly mastered, but so difficult at first I still sympathize with people who struggle with computers.
4...About 1995 I began doing more than solving simple application programs (and cruising what passed for the web in those days). Being extremely busy with my "real" job caused my understanding of concepts like operating systems, compilers, utilities to be a very long (years) painful struggle.


-- Do you have any challenges even now?

Yes. Here's just one example: I now run Linux as my principal workstation and still struggle with one of my Linux systems generating a warning message at startup: "Cannot find SMB". It works anyway, and since I still have lots of real work to do, I only try to track it down once a month or so.

A big part of my retirement is helping all my newby friends with their computers. Most of that is very easy these days. When I do get stumped, the search engines have yet to fail me. However, this week, I got a call on a Windows 98 system. I can no longer remember much at all of the internals of Win98, so could not help him. The web could probably help with his problem also if I tried, but frankly I would rather buy him a new computer than wade into that ancient muck.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
In my earliest days with really learning software, my son helped me a lot. For the last 10 years, the strategy has been almost totally the web via the search engines.

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

Not sure what this question means. Easier for me? Of course. Easier for people with limited experience - I think it's harder. I owned a 6502, a Z80, etc. along the way and kept up with hardware advances and some software advances all along through my development job, so almost everything was much easier for me than for new learners now.

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

6 days a week, 5 hours per day.

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

More than you youngsters will ever understand.

- Collapse -
Re: Why are Computers still difficult to use
Feb 11, 2011 6:40PM PST

I think the another question should be why does Apple insist on being different to Windows by putting close etc on the left and so many other annoying difficulties, and a lot harder to use. Right click on windows is so good and easy to use but Apple you always have to fidget around to find where things are the right click is no where ner as good for info and getting other apps to go.

- Collapse -
Not related to the discussion.
Feb 11, 2011 7:00PM PST

A specific set of questions has been raised about computers and technology in general. Your question has no significance in this particular discussion.

But a quick response from me. Wouldn't it be boring if all computers were the same? Just imagine everyone driving the same cars.

Mark

- Collapse -
The Other Way Around
Feb 19, 2011 12:32AM PST

Apple was the first, so your question should be "why does Microsoft have it wrong?".

- Collapse -
Re: Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 11, 2011 12:58PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?
That would have been the family's MicroBee, so about June 1992 - looks like I'm probably your youngest responder thus far (26)

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
For me, yes - I was always seeking new information and picked up concepts quickly, wanting to know how and why things worked...traits fostered by the three electrical engineers, two tradesmen and two draftsmen in the family; and kept in practice by a younger brother prone to breaking things.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
Mostly straight forward. I haven't really come up against anything that couldn't be resolved with time, logic and research.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
Maintaining core knowledge about all the systems my team supports while specialising on two closely tied systems many in the industry like to avoid.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
Gather the facts, take a time out to review and consult, test and get back to the involved parties.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
As in encountering again with the life experience garnered so far? Or coming at those same issues freshly with the global knowledge now available?
With Experience: Hell yeah, aside from the "stuff you now know" there is a distinct improvement in how to think and analyse problems which is very potent when paired with vast knowledge sources, particularly ones that evolve and grow as fast as technology.
Fresh Encounter: Not really, more difficult if anything. The tools and environments have grown; the challenges an resources have increased in complexity; and there is greater shielding of the user from the operational aspects of the tech they use; but the core is still to me about concepts, postulation and logical thought process - if you don't have that, you're SOL when things "break"

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
Nice broadening there. Work days: around fourteen hours, sometimes more.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?
Yes. Besides the greater convenience, those qualities and the desire to increase their scope makes teams like the one I'm in essential.

- Collapse -
Re: Computers difficult to use
Feb 11, 2011 12:59PM PST

Technology does not allow one to become familiar enough to use the offerings before they are replaced or changed. Programs designed to work with one OS may work differently with the next OS or won't work with older OSs. I started with Dos 3.1, went to 6.2 or 3 and then Windows 95. Did not have time to get used to that before Windows 98SE. I have used Windows, ME, 2000, and increased my number of computers to 3 plus laptops. I now have XP on one computer but have learned the 98SE well enough to get everything I need and it is definitely faster than all the others. I don't play games, I passed that stage and found it a terrible waste of time, but that's just me. The number of apps are numerous and each has its own time consuming break-in and then a new one comes along. You are talked into trying it; you forget how to use others and have to relearn them if you need them again. Hacker and spam waste your time along with an occasional virus all of which take an exorbitant amount of time to clear. Webs change, emails change, addresses change, equipment changes, and most frustrating, OS changes cause a whole new set of programs which don't work like the old familiar ones.They are all fighting for a piece of the pie and we are the ones paying the price in being behind the learning curve and being frustrated by it. So I go 98SE and if a program don't work with it I don't buy it. So far I get things done quicker and as long as I can acquire satisfaction with what I know, I'm good. Special thanks to those folks who still work with older and proven programs.

- Collapse -
They have always presented this difficulty
Feb 11, 2011 1:08PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?
First homebrew, 1965 a very simple device using relays from pinball machines. Almost got an adder implemented by Science Fair Time. Won a minor physics award.
First real computer: in 1968 on an IBM 1620 BCD engineering/science type machine. (Again in physics dept..)
Changed major to business and got into IBM 360/VS family in early 70's.
Mid 70's got by with TI programmable calculators.
First Micro was Radio Shack TRS-80 Mod II. 1979.
Skipped PC (side track to PC-jr for kids) and went to AT clone. Semi kept up to date with PC's through present.
-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
If you have the right mind-set, it can be almost trivial.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
Biggest challenge for over 40 years has been *NOT* choosing something that becomes a technology dead-end. I've done it with hardware, operating systems, applications, languages, development platforms, databases, utilities, - just about everything.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
Retirement has moved me out of daily face to face interaction with other professionals. The Web in all it's manifestations is not a complete substitute.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
Try to keep up to date. Learn something new every month. Buy new technology as you can.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
Good old consultant answer - It depends. With the Interwebs it is easier to do research and look things up than previously. Flip side is information overload.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
Anywhere from zero to 14 hours, depending.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?
Yes, have had PDA's or Smart Phones since price-point got down below my "buy" threshold. Have two Androids now.

- Collapse -
Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 11, 2011 1:08PM PST

- Can you remember when you started using computers? 1967, first computer class on a Burroughs mainframe.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? No, it took a week of punching data and compiling before you could get results.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? Challenges were greatly reduced with the advent of the personal computer; First used one in 1975. This was again made much easier when I went to an Apple IIE with menu based programs in 1983 and again with my first Mac in 1985

-- Do you have any challenges even now? Not much.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? Major strategy for the last 25 years has been using a Mac

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? Yes! I started computer use carrying boxes of punch cards to the computer center.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? 4 hours

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

- Collapse -
Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 11, 2011 1:15PM PST

I come from the IBM AS400 world where I was a tech expert (25 years on the application level). The PC world is very different and I'm an intermediate-level non-tech user. But my experience does give me a feel for what's going on and I have an understanding of what computers are, what they do and how they do it.
I'm a logical thinker and rational. Computers, and what's going on inside them, are interesting to me. These personality traits make computer use easier and less threatening for me than I'm sure it is for those with different personalities.
I think it may be less that computers are hard to use than they're very complex and do lots and lots of stuff. There's so much there, and this can be daunting. You don't come to a computer knowing how to use it; you have to learn. This might be frustrating if you just want to do it, not learn how to do it the way the computer requires you to do it.
(Actually, I'm very impressed with the cross-application consistency in the user interface in the PC world, and with the intuitiveness of most applications. It could be a whole lot worse than it is.)
A point I'm making is that the ease of computer use is largely dependent on the individual - personality, psychology, orientation and interests.
This doesn't really respond to your survey, but maybe you'll find these thoughts of some use.

- Collapse -
Why are computers still so difficult to use
Feb 11, 2011 2:48PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

Around 1980 with a Commodore Business Machine (which predated the landmark Commodore 64, I think)

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

Like anything, there was a learning curve but it wasn't too bad. It was much better than programming them yourself in the '70s.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, . . .

Of course not. I don't know anyone who has never had a problem with a computer. The difference is how easy it is to fix them.

-- . . . and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?

I went through just about every challenge that everyone else did.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

Yeah. Getting older. I find I can no longer automatically remember how to fix problems I've fixed before. Sometimes, I have to work it out.

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

Be logical, don't panic, and use Google.

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

Sure.

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

Eight hours plus . . . depending.

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

Of course. PC's keep getting better.

But, you know, I can't believe that, after 30 years of modern computers, with the input of over a million computer-related techs and designers, manufacturers (including Apple) haven't thoroughly researched the experience of computing and made simple little changes such as making the obnoxious Cap Lock button easily reassigned (without having to go to the Registry) or have it come with a on/off activation toggle. My mind boggles at the lost productivity this little design annoyance has caused over the decades.

Good luck with your project! Please let us see the results. Thanks.

- Collapse -
I am trying to partisipate and help.
Feb 11, 2011 3:18PM PST

1-started 3 years ago.
2-not so easy,but not impossible.
3-the journey was straightforward.
4-yes,changing desktop to laptop and wind XP to win 7.
5-no.
6-yes.
7-3 hours.
8-yes of course.
Good luck Ronald.

- Collapse -
Crucial thing is too many developers (software).
Feb 11, 2011 3:27PM PST

- Can you remember when you started using computers?
--- Yes. 1973, IBM 1401H, Punched cards.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
--- Easy. I was the junior most in a very homogenous EDP team in a manufacturing company and had a good induction experience with the end users.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
-=- Sort of. The major challenge was to transition to a leadership role.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
--- Sure. New technology and concepts. I am the last adopter of new technologies, social media etc in my group.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
--- Stick to my strengths.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
--- Sure. Networks are are ubiquitous (I have lost days waiting for data to arrive by sneaker net). Computer usage and front end skills are also nearly ubiquitous.

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

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

If you compare software to an automobile product, there are only a few hundred automobiles companies - maybe a few thousand models - world wide and each io built to a standard. In the case of software however, there are many developers and software. The choice is mind boggling and the solutions are so diverse in impact. I think you have to live with it.

The future user (and developer) will be adept at sizing up the functionality and interface and tune their working accordingly.
--Submitted by Ronald G. of Warwick University in UK

- Collapse -
answers
Feb 11, 2011 3:38PM PST

Hi Ronald. I'm a developer, and a hobbyist so I'm using computers in just about every capacity.

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?
In school just as microcomputers were introduced around 1979. Back then, computers were all about learning to program.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
Yes, it led me to a career.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
There was a time when it was possible to know everything about your computer, from the inner workings of the hardware to every piece of software available. Today it's difficult to be an expert in a single software package. So I think the challenge is in choosing your computer type and the software you're going to run, and then becoming as proficient as possible. As a developer, that list is a long one.
-- Do you have any challenges even now?
Computers change, particularly the software. This can often lead to learning the entire thing again from scratch, Microsoft being one of the worst culprits.
-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
I find that ignoring new versions of software in order to avoid re-learning is a bad idea. If you're out of date, you can very quickly get out of step with other users, online services and have file format issues. So my strategy is to keep as up to date as possible and that means putting time & effort into it.
-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
Hardware is so much easier to deal with now. And, it doesn't break down quite as often. Conversely software failures more than make up for that. But in general when I look back I could do what I used to do standing on my head with one arm tied behind my back Happy
-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
This is difficult to answer. If I'm in a skype call, am I interacting with the device, or the person on the other end ? Does watching my tv count - it's full of computers. What about driving ?
Computing seems to have penetrated every part of my life. I'll take a guess that 60% of my waking hours involving some form of computing.
-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?
These days computing is about collecting, organising, storing and searching data. The better organised the data, and the more access you have to it, the easier life can be. Computers do intrude into life in general but I'm seeing the level of perceived annoyance drop, as a larger propertion of the public is using them & so is tolerant to others' use. Mobile phones are a lot less annoying than a 1980s ghetto blaster (boom box to US readers), but I think you're always going to have to endure bus rides with businessmen who shout into their phones non stop.

- Collapse -
First of all, it is not how we get to use them.
Feb 11, 2011 3:56PM PST

It is about what will be there sole purpose of use for your individual self.

So, basically, assembling the proper components of her future in being self function machine is the key element of how she will end-up looking and performing like. The components are all the different parts that a lot of manufacturers of high-end eletronics make and sell to the many, various, retailers.

Using her will not be the problem, making her run smoothly is. The real trick is to combine the factors of speed and type of parts together. DDR2 tech. with the other DDR2 parts and, so on. Then, comes the choice of proper software to use on her, for your own scrupulous purposes. For work or mainly for House use as in gaming(online included), internet use and, other personal use such as: Photos, camcorder videos, movies and, writing a book or novel. Personal use = very new and powerful machine as in contrast, Work use = depends on the field of work you are in(Lab. powerful math calculations and, corporate use is for administration and graphical generation).

As in how hard of use your machine will become is how much information you need to compute with it. Web-browsers and Word-processors of today, demand an increase in know-how and what-for in order to fully appreciate these complex softwares. In other words: there are way too many functions to learn in order to learn them in a very little time. Many of these functions, you will never get around to use them, ever.

I really do hope that I did not do your entire research project on that specific subject.

Good-Luck! Wink

- Collapse -
My Old College Days
Feb 11, 2011 4:04PM PST

I have to help you, Ron, I too had to ask people questions for a psychology project away baaaaaack when. Happy

1--Got my 1st computer in 1970's-A Commodore Vic-20.

2--No, had to learn Basic, but it was worth it and a ton of fun, especially the games.

3--Pretty straight-forward as I gradually went with the flow. I bought 2nd hand computers until the 90's, mostly from offices that used them until they became obsolete (like in 2 years)and they sold them. Never paid over $100. for one up to then. They were happy to get rid of them.

4--I wouldn't exactly refer to them as "challenges" because learning Word Perfect in DOS was fun and fascinating.
It was difficult to learn how to use a mouse when mice came on the market--I kept wanting to use the keyboard for everything.

5--The worst challenge I've had, was when MS came out with Service-Pack Two and it crashed my computer. I couldn't even use Safe Mode in order to delete the program that caused it as the SM button wouldn't turn it on. Very frustrating.

6--The biggest challenge I have now is with my virus protection. It won't permit pop-ups or allow my game-site to work unless I re-set my browser settings each time I use the site. If I forget, it freezes up.

7--My coping strategy is a fantastic tech guy who knows everything there is about computers. He saved all my files and hard drive when my computer crashed, and for way less than it would've cost to buy a new computer. C-Net is a big help, too.

8--Challenges now are far easier to solve; I could almsot ask, "What challenges?"

9--Typically, I'm off and on my computer every day. I'm a published author and always typing out new chapters or pages...probably about 4 to 7 hrs. a day.

10--I love the way that the Net turned out. I think it's wonderful--a seeker's paradise!

Good Luck!

- Collapse -
Answers
Feb 11, 2011 4:38PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

1984 - first computer was an MSX (the Japanese attempt at flooding the 8-bit computer market with a computer made by multiple companies all running Microsoft Basic - hence the name MSX - MicroSoftX)

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

Yes it was quite easy, the hardest thing was getting my dad to wire a plug on it, I was only 6 at the time and I ended up wiring a plug on it myself after waiting 6 months, but actually using the computer was really easy, the basic language and menu at the bottom of the screen made it really easy to understand how the basic worked (if you've never seen an MSX in operation in Basic it has a menu bar at the bottom that lists the most popular commands, and assigns them to the F keys).

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

My journey has been quite straight forward, probably aided by the fact I have Asperger's and ADHD. The biggest hurdle was going from an Amiga 600 to a 286. It was so weird to go from an WIMP operating system that automatically booted and was really easy to use, to a DOS based OS with a black screen and having to manually load up Windows. I think some of the biggest issues for years (up until Windows ME) was the fact that DOS was still lurking there in the background which was this void that if you don't know what you are doing you are lost, and even some experts get lost in there, and also the BIOS (something which many other computers, like the Amiga never had, again another void that even experts can get lost in!)

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

My biggest challenge I've come across now is trying to get an Apple Mac working. I bought an old Power Mac off eBay a few years ago as I wanted expand my knowledge to cover both PC's and Macs, but I found it really hard to try and understand which OS will run on it, where I can buy the OS for it, even trying to install Linux on it was a nightmare as Mac Linux wont work with the CD drive so no way to install Linux. I always saw Mac's as being far more easier to use than PC's, but as for installing any OS on them they are the way harder, also a friend give me an iMac and that came with an OS running on it, and I couldn't believe the difficulty of trying to install anything on that OS, it seems that unlike PC's backwards compatibility on a Mac doesn't seem to exist which causes confusion if you have a slightly older machine.

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

Keep going at it until it does what you want, or find some PD software that will work round the problem.

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

The challenges now are a lot more easier to tackle, with the internet if you have any type of problem most of the time now you can look it up on the net and get some advice from other people who have a similar problem, sometimes you even find people who've wrote a program as a work around for the problem your facing which is great. Back in the early days of computers when there was no internet it was quite hard because if you had a problem there was nowhere you could really go to ask.

In addition to this thanks to many programs working on OOP and developers producing API's for many programs it makes it easier to develop plugins for programs to increase the functionality of programs, and make some tasks far more easier to the end user. For example years ago if you wanted to edit a sound on your computer you used to use sound recorder to record the sound and then you were very limited as to what you could do from then, where as now you have Audacity which can record a sound, and if you want to do something like add Autotune to the sound you can easily download a plugin that will add autotune to the sound making it much more easier than trying to play around with phase controls and everything to get the autotune sound which is out of most end users knowledge. So with that it has got easier to do more complex things, without having to get a PhD in sound engineering, or astrophysics!

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

90% of the day

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

Yes, you can now do a lot more things, easier than you could do many years ago so it has made computers a lot better.

- Collapse -
A question for you.
Feb 11, 2011 4:50PM PST

Have you considered accessibility for disabled persons? With screen readers, speech recognition and other assistive technology it is much easier for disabled persons to access technology, if only service providers abided by industry standards. Checkout www.fitamalta.eu for more info.

- Collapse -
Gerd's survey resonse
Feb 11, 2011 6:21PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

Yes, January 1968 on a PDP6, a scientific number cruncher from Digital Equipment

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

Yes, I more or less stumbled into it writing working Fortran programs without any training before I knew what had happened.

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

by and large it was easy. At some stage the move from a mainframe centric environment to the distributed technologies was a bit of an effort

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

constantly, but by now i accept that as the way things are.

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

One is that I don't have to know everything in detail anymore - In the days of DOS on an IBM 360 one could still know and understand every instruction in the OS - on today's systems that would be impossible (except maybe Linux if you concentrate on just one configuration)

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

No way - just consider this: The first computers were designed by humans without any computer assistance, today no-one could build a new computer generation without the bulk of the work done by computers. And the we added layer upon layer of functions onto all these various platforms. Right now a revolution is under way to bring computer capabilities to the user in devices that don't "feel" like computers anymore. And it looks as if these devices will seriously erode the installed base of "traditional" computers.

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

Probably averaging to over 8 hours - some of it work related, some of it hobby related and the rest just normal personal lifestyle activities (reading the news and exchanging mail and so on.)

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

Greatly! And I consider myself lucky; as an early adopter of the technology in its infancy I can stay on top fairly easily, even though people in my generation (60+) ordinarily struggle a lot more, almost like my parents' generation, who had no access to the technology at all in their younger years.

- Collapse -
My responses
Feb 11, 2011 6:57PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

Yes, 1981 when Sinclair released their ZX81 home computer

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

Not at all. It was a steep learning curve.

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

No, the journey has continued to be difficult and challenging. Some challenges I faced include;

a) Demonstrating how computers could aid work practices in the office where I worked.

b) Setting up computers in the work place.

c) Managing and maintaining them.

d) Managing the 'pace of change' in computer technology.

d) Troubleshooting my own systems at home.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

Yes, as above, troubleshooting home systems.

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

Yes, learn quickly, seek advice, and mainly, struggle!

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

Not at all. Computers have continued to develop and become more sophisticated over the years. Whilst GUI's have been developed to help users manage systems, those GUI's only provide a 'top level' snapshot of problems and difficulties and rarely dig deeper into root causes.

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

Typically 8-10 hours daily.

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

Difficult to grasp the meaning of the question, but I certainly appreciate how the internet in general has allowed simple persons like myself to reach out to the whole world, and how personal computers and other devices allow us facilitate that.

I suspect we would all be surprised, and perhaps somewhat alarmed, at how pervasive computer technology has become in our societies.

Mark

- Collapse -
Why are computers still so difficult to use? - New!
Feb 11, 2011 7:22PM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

I got my first computer from my son when he bought a new one. I had absolutely no experience with a computer.

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

Yes, simply because I love challenges & this was one that I had been wanting to tackle for a while.

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

Pretty much straight forward. I loved the learning experience. The only challenge was the computer was pretty much a relic & had to be rebooted a lot because of freezing up. I kept it long enough to gain my confidence & about a year later went out & bought a brand new one.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

Everynow & then I run into something I can't figure out & have to ask for help. Otherwise I have learned a lot over the years & still learning as far as new programs & software are concerned.

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

If at first I don't succeed I walk away & cool down & try again later. I also read the help files, they come in handy.

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

Definitely, I no longer look at computers with an overwhelming feeling.

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

I actually spend quite a few hours on my computer every day. Six hours or more daily. I use my computer for processing my wildlife photos among other photos & graphics also.

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

Yes, I have to say I have become a computer junkie HappyComputers have opened up a whole new world for me. I have been disabled for the past
12 years & the computer has given me a great passtime/hoby. I have bad problems with my back plus other issues & when I can't get out & walk around to get shots of the wildlife I love I can at least sit here & process some of my photos.
I am not affraid to open the cpu & clean it or to add new hardware. In fact I would love to learn how to build one of my own one of these days.

- Collapse -
me and computers
Feb 11, 2011 7:50PM PST

1966 - i was a math major. we did 'programming' and someone less qualified did our keypunch. now to modern times - after a life change i did not use a computer until 1994. i was intimidated thinking that everything was programming and dos. my 3yr old nephew was using a computer and i wondered how kids were writing software.

1994-bought a toshiba 486 and my fiance (software engineer) walked me throught word and excel, powerpoint and the internet - no problem then or now.

journey - challenges - coping:
2007 - divorce with my software engineer and on my own i do not make any progress. as often, in couples relations, one tells the other that he/she is incapable. my case. when i have a real problem i email him and he does my troubleshooting - but i am still afraid of doing changes myself and i have no confidence in anyone but him.

time spent:
about 2 heours a day between internet and word/excel and research for my work.

i guess this is an atypical response but is realistic to many women especially.
thanks and good luck
d