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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 13, 2011 2:50PM PST

Many people find computers difficult to use because they: (1) are unwilling to work at tough problems involving subtle errors, (2) do not have the self discipline to record what they have done, so they can go back and discern cause / effect relationships, and (3) are too impatient to take the time required to enter information precisely as expected by the machine.

The first machine on which I programed was a Burroughs 2000 in 1964. I have been frustrated many times when a "simple" task couldn't be completed because I was overlooking a small piece of information. I continue to be challenge as the increased capability of the machines has been accompanied by incomprehensible complexity. I continue to have problems, but I've learned, that if I can't solve them today, I must put them away for a while. I have learned that answers are often found when reading magazine articles or newsgroups postings on issues unrelated to my problem. The key to solving computer problems is to read about other peoples computer problems, as it is unlikely that you're the only one with your problem.

The additional functionality of the more powerful machines is handy, but the old saying, "keep it simple, stupid," applies as well. Don't use a complicated / sophisticated application when the simple one will do the job. One of my biggest frustrations is with MicroSoft's introduction of updates, when the updates don't really add more useful functionality, but require you to relearn the application, because the controls are in different locations. But we need to praise Microsoft for continuing to patch newly found bugs in software that I paid them for many years ago.

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Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 13, 2011 6:16PM PST

-Started using late '70s.
-Easy or not is completely dependent on age, 'mechanical ability', and complexity of tasks.
-Challenges: Not much different than learning a new language, irregular verbs included. Microsoft is particularly famous for obscure and scattered application (especially now with the Ribbon) and system controls, and a ridiculous help system that very seldom helps.
-When I research and conquer a particularly arcane procedure I document it in my 'Recipes, Secrets and Clever Clues' folder. I vent frustration by insulting Bill Gates in code documentation.
-Challenges are more difficult now, but probably because so much more complex tasks can be done.
-Typical day is 6 hours on the computer.
-Appreciate computers? My life would be functionally over without them. The power is enormous.

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Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 13, 2011 10:20PM PST

? Can you remember when you started using computers?
? My first computer was a Sinclair, not a Timex/Sinclair, just a Sinclair, though I have one of those too. (yes 'have', both are still in my possession) It had a membrane keyboard, to which I attached a real keyboard, the video was a TV, and the storage was an audio tape recorder. The video would go off when you pressed the enter key, it needed the memory to process.

? My first job using computers was at an office where the 'computer guy' needed help. I really believe that he hired me because the other applicants were too well versed, I was the least threat to his dominant role. We had an IBM System 23. That machine used eight inch single sided floppy diskettes for storage.

? There was also the timeshare terminal that used compuserve, I would love to find somewhere what my old compuserve e-mail address was, it was a bunch of numbers but I can't remember what they were.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
? I had very little problems learning to use computers but I started this process just prior to the PC so no one knew anything back then. I did have computer classes in college but again, that was pre PC, but I think knowing about logic gates helped understand the process.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
? Making it work was the biggest challenge. Designing new types of what we called "Office Automation Systems" was, well I recall it being fun, if that was because it was a challenge so be it.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
? The biggest two challenges now are:
? 1) Knowing what I know about computers and computer networks it is frustrating to use computers in an office environment when the equipment is very old (30G drives and 1G of ram!). When things don't work I cannot fix them due to restrictions on the system and IT is miles away and rarely gets here to fix things. Using applications that are poorly written falls into this category as well as is Help desk people that don't have a clue as to what they are doing. I actually had a guy tell me one day that I couldn't be having network issues as our (Ethernet) network was "only" at 85%. At that utilization I'm surprised it worked at all.
? 2) Watching all the new people that don't know a computer from a paperweight. There was a time when this was all new and people didn't know or understand computers, then we evolved to a time where almost everyone, it seemed, could put a PC together from a pile of parts. Now folks using computers are consumers. They don't know what's inside a computer and don't want to, they don't know the difference between a recordable CD and a read only CD. I had a guy call me from a store one day and ask "This pack of 100 DVDs says -R on it, does that mean I can record onto these?" My answer started out "Why would a store sell 100 blank DVDs that cannot be recorded on?"

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
? In the early days we fashioned some foam rubber in the form of a bat, with it we used to beat on the monitor, that seemed to help. These days I bang the mouse on the desk and yell "Hello" at un-responsive computers.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
? Absolutely. At least for now. At the moment what we used to call "Office Automation" is pretty cut and dry. Aside from the "use Microsoft or not" argument there is not much to be said. Just take it off the shelf and plug it in. There is no more MacGyverism anymore, you don't have to jury rig stuff. The days of writing your own special procedure to kick off a backup late at night for example, are over.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
? Your asking the wrong guy that question. I have 7 computers in my office of which I use 5 every day, all day. At home I have a computer bolted to the ceiling under my kitchen with a laser Kbd and a monitor on the kitchen counter just above. If your wondering why I went to all that trouble, it's been there since before the advent of the "All In One" computer. There is another computer at home for personal use and the ever present smartphone.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?
? In the 80's I told a group I was speaking to that by the turn of the century the only device wired to the wall in your house would be your TV and that TV would not be the TV of the 80s. I was a few years off but that prediction has almost come true. Do I appreciate it? Yes, I appreciate the technology involved and the way it makes tasks easier and more efficient. Do I appreciate the other things that go along with it? No. Sexting, Cyber Bullying, online predators, Online ID Theft are all issues we never had to deal with (ID Theft has been around as long as we have attached a value to our IDs but Online ID theft is new). The good is good, but the bad is bad and Parents don't know how to deal with it because they have never had to deal with it themselves. (If you are in NH I can help by the way, see:www.BeNetSafe.Org - Its free) PARENTS: Talk to your kids about staying safe online.

Since I cannot post pictures I will describe 2 old comic strips
One is an old Doonesbury from before the break. It starts out "My friend wants to buy a computer" The sales person replies in geek speak, "I knew it" says Rev, "he doesn't speak English"
The other is a single panel, a bunch of people in an elevator talking, the computer people speaking in 1's and 0's the caption reads, "When with regular people computer people speak in code".

When someone asks me why computers are difficult to understand I reply "If we made them easy what would I do for a living?"

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Easier in some ways, more difficult in others
Feb 15, 2011 12:22AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

1973. Entered Fortran programs onto punch cards, submitted job to operator, tried to figure out why program crashed, repeated.

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

Not easy or hard. A task, like learning to drive a car.

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

Hard to remember because they are not today's challenges. Challenges of the past were surmounted somehow, or not. Challenges of today need to be focused upon and not all that was learned in the past is applicable today--but some is.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

Of course.

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

Learn to customize hardware and software in a way that works for me, learn to find information on the Internet.

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

Thanks to computers in general and the Worldwide Web in particular, far more information is readily available. The challenge now is sorting out what is relevant from what is not. If you are having some specific problem with a computer it's extremely unlikely someone else isn't also, and the extent to which information is organized and shared is a new tool for solving problems that didn't exist in previous decades.

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

Depending on the day and how liberally you interpret "computer devices", one hour to all day.

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

I appreciate the functionality. Pervasiveness is a double-edged sword. Things like televisions, telephones and cameras that used to have simple intuitive human interfaces have acquired some of the annoying characteristics of computer interfaces.

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I'ts the system concept!
Feb 15, 2011 1:56AM PST

1968 IBM mainframe at college, so the system concepts (with all punch cards and core memories etc. became clear early on).
But if an ordinary non-technical person needs to learn the concepts of computing, he/she is offered too many abstract concepts, like the OS, mass memory, modem speed, file size - that many older or developing-country newbies may just give up. Yes, there are billions of people who have never heard this jargon, but many of them are near future computer users.
It's like having to quickly learn the 7-layer OSI model, without any 'feel' of such abstract thinking in technical matters.
Smartphones may provide a shortcut to all this. Their use can be learned mechanically.

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Why computers are dificult to use
Feb 15, 2011 2:31AM PST

Well For starts, compared to What?
a] Language... Back in the 70's you had to learn several languages including JCL, Fortran, Cobol, PL/I, and RPG, as well as DOS or O/S 2 on what was called a MAINFRAME - If you were really smart you also tackled a nuts and bolts program called ASSEMBLER and Machine Language. ... that all changed when Bill Gates came on with MS-DOS [still used as background for Windows 7] - you just don't see it thanks to Bill Gates.

I am not touching the Apple - Mac as I know nothing about it..

Back then COBOL had so many problems ... just by missing a little "." in one line of code. Ask the old timers about that.
Before Windows came on with version DOS 4 or 5 you got a spreadsheet called Lotus 1-2-3, a Word Processor called WordPerfect, and a database program called dBASE. the WordProcessor was designed to give a lousy typist the chance to get a decent looking document looking great for your boss.
Well Gates came out with WORD and EXCEL to do the basics with a few extra fetures. At some point the military, demiliterized the Internet and then we now have the private sector flooding the Internet with lots of information.... so you had FREENETS and the first line of Search engines and USENETS

I still remember the war between IBM O/S 2 version 3 and Gates Windows 95 ... my main concern was are my programs I already run going to still work? After IBM O/S 2 version 3 failed miserably [no wonder it got called Warp] Bill gates released Windows 95 about 6 months later. and since then never looked back. Windows 98 was the coup de grace of the Business commuity before Winows NT was used. a year or two after it was Windows XP Professional Then Bill Gates released a sloppy program caled Windows VISTA and sent the back to XP Again Gates learned from his errors and Released Windows 7.with most of the errors fixed.

Today this operating system has still got competition from Mac and Linux
and Microsoft Office has a strong competitor to the basic office programs has a competitor, OpenOffice. and its Internet Explorer has several strong competitors. along with Terabyte hard drives.

A

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Gates did NOT help the situation.
Feb 25, 2011 2:38PM PST

DOS was ported from an incomplete development of a CP/M look-alike OS. It was i8085 code transferred to the i8088

DOS Word did not originate within Microsoft--its original menu, behavior and screen display indicate very clearly that it was designed/written by someone who had to USE it. Yes, MS continued to improve the product up to version 5.0B. The only function that was conspicuous in its absence was table layout. To compete with the Apple Mac, MS would have done far better if they had maintained the [ESC] menu function and introduced PostScript/Truetype display parameters instead of mimicking the pull-down menus and using the [ALT] key for menus which was a monumental act of stupidity and laziness. If PC users wanted mouse-based pull-down menus, then they should have allowed an option to move the menu from the bottom to the top of the screen, but maintained the same menu tree, and the same "macro language" instead of this hideous VB stuff that is out now.

Software writers should be doing the job for which they are writing the code. In 1986 I had to throw together a quick and dirty program in dBase_IV because what had previously been recorded was on index cards had to be searchable on parameters that had never existed before. Naturally I made the data entry window in the same layout as the cards, and in three days of round-the-clock eight-hour shifts we got all the data entered. It was then decided that a "proper" database should be introduced by a consultant costing $25k. His product could not read the dBase files (which are incredibly easy) so, using his interface, all the information had to be entered AGAIN and it took three weeks rather than three days. About a month after its implementation the administrator dumped it and went back to using mine!

Then there was another database running from a mainframe that had to be "compatible" with the Personnel System. This was another example of programs being written by people who didn't have to use them. Data entry was a nightmare of flicking back and forth through employee-submitted forms and long printouts of code numbers. I offered several times just to re-write the entry screens which would have been more compatible with the employee forms, but never got approval.

Inside DOS_Word_5 I wrote an entire database program that would still be in use today if it had not been for a Y2K glitch in Word. All my code was Y2K compliant long before anyone started screaming about the impending disaster. As for WinWord, version 6 was what version 1 SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

OS/2_Warp was undermined by Windows_3.1 which paved the way toward Win95. I still use 98SE on old laptops, and while those machines don't handle the latest Internet @#$%, they are still fantastically stable systems. If I wanted to use the P2P networking, the machine pretending to be a "server" had to be rebooted once in every 24 hours.

Windows ME was an abortion in a bucket. I jumped straight from 98SE to XP which actually contains a huge quantity of Linux code. Then came Vista which was as bad as ME but without the bucket. I refuse to service Vista machines, and I haven't even seen a Windows 7 system at all. Linux is my next step.

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

1977 on a WANG 2200, followed by the TRS-80 and the Apple ][.

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

Yes. User Manuals explained everything in detail. These days the User Manual says, "Insert Disc and then spend hours fighting with the inbuilt 'help' system," and nothing more.

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

Object Oriented Languages are hideous. Let's go back to comma delimited parameters instead of:
.Some_Ridiculously_Long_Name_For_A_Variable_That_I_Dont_Need. = "Some Crappy And Irrelevant Junk That Has To Be Inserted Or The Compiler Will Crash"

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

Dealing with machines that should be blazingly fast, but which are still clunky and slow because of all the junk code that has never been stripped from the OS, programs or even compilers. As the saying goes: "We only use 10% of our CPU power the rest is Operating System overhead." A great example to try out can be done in QuickBasic_4.5:

Create your source code in file HELLO.TXT or HELLO.BAS which simply reads:
___________

10 CLS
20 PRINT "HELLO"
___________

Compile that into HELLO.EXE and look at how HUGE the file is. Look inside the file with any text editor and you will see massive amounts of junk code and DOS error messages. "General failure on disk %"--why is Disk Error code included in the compiled version when there is no reference to disk activity in the Source Code? If there's an error loading the program, DOS will report the error itself. But then programmers got lazy in their coding because Bill Gates told us authoritatively that we would NEVER use up 640kB of memory.

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

Yes, I use multiple machines that tend to be "single task" rather than running everything on one machine.

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

No, there is a distinct lack of information meaning that one has to search sites like this and numerous others to find out the tiny details that you need to dig up. Why are Operating System options stored six times in the one Registry? New issues are hardware quality: I'm a typist who insists on a quality keyboard. Laptop keyboards have been woeful for a long time meaning I always carry an external keyboard, but the latest offerings aren't even "typing on a dish sponge" any more--ludicrously flat keys and almost zero travel so your fingers can't feel a thing. It costs several hundred dollars to buy a new TACTILE typist-quality keyboard.

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

I'm on the PC for about five hours a day. My TryPhone is deliberately crippled to calls and SMS. I do not want to look at an eBay listing on a 2.5" screen. The mechanical timer on the clothes dryer is quite adequate thank you.

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

No. The computer was a tool intended to speed things up. Organizations that adopted computers early on, made the mistake of going computer-dependent instead of computer-aided. "It was an awful day. The computer broke down and we all had to think!" A supermarket barcode pricing database is compromised and the whole supermarket chain right across the State or Country is brought to a stand-still.

Is that really progress or just creating more and more of the same mess over and over again?

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computer ease
Feb 16, 2011 5:59AM PST

I don't know exactly when i began
It wasnt easy because i got in to a program class at college and fluned out.
I must say that often times I get so confused about programs and what they do I just want to scream!
I have so many different programs for the same thing it is ridiculous and very frustrating most of the time.
and i get tired of asking for help! I find microsofts answers in help never give enough info. or I just flat don't understand it.
as far as coping strats I just chunk them out the door (LOL)
I usually get more confused with progs. like works, word, etc.
several hours a day depending what I am doing.

as for technology ha I can't keep up and it gets expensive if you ask me.

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Different programs that do the same thing
Feb 18, 2011 9:11AM PST

This applies only to Linux; my first early forays into Linux fizzled quickly, one of the main reasons was that each distribution came with 4-5 different programs for apps like word processing and graphics editors - no time to check them out to see which was better. I always went back to Windows, which was also far easier to install and get running, even though early versions of Windows were pretty clunky themselves. Today, Ubuntu is even easier to install than Windows; when the replacement for Windows 7 comes along I will finally stop using Microsoft products altogether.

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An Older Fellows Humble Opinion
Feb 16, 2011 10:23AM PST

When did I start? Mainframes in college, Apple IIE 1979-1980.

Was it easy? Not bad compared to the stuff we had to do in college.

Straightforward journey? Off and on depending on job requirements and spare time available.

Challenges now? Yes. I see two different but related issues. Help files are generally useless for new users. Most that I have seen in the last five or six years require some knowledge of the product to know how to ask or find information. MS is the worst. In Excel when I go to Help for a formatting problem, I see formatting information for all of the MS products. I only care for Excel issues and I waste lots of time rummaging through the other fluff to get to what I am looking for. I frequently give up and ask a friend for the help I need.

Second issue is the operating instructions that come with the new equipment or programs. In the old days you had a book that came with the product. You could leaf through the book (during periodic times of meditation and solitude)and find things you didn't know you could do. The gems that you found that way made using the equipment or software a lot easier and quicker. Today, once again, you have to know what you are looking for to find the information. You're in the forest, but you can only see one tree at a time, and you have no information about the tree next to you.

Current coping strategies? Call my son. It's the coping mechanism of most middle age people I know... call the kids.

Easier now? Not really. The programs and equipment are far more powerful than I started with, but unless you are a power user, most of the extra stuff is just in the way. Vista is nice, but look at the size and resources it uses compared to the early, early versions of Windows. If you only do Word, Spreadsheets, e-mail, and some minor surfing for information, that power is just a cumbersome waste. I am forced to drive a Porsche to the post office, and pay the high operating and insurance costs when a Honda would do the same job fine. My boy, however, may not see it that way.

How long every day? At least eight to ten or twelve hours per day. (No gaming is included in these numbers.)

Appreciate the extras on the new stuff? Not very often. The previous answers pretty well lay out where I am with most new stuff, but if it is a specialized item in my field of interest, bring it on.

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Second posting, but the Mods and Admin will remove it again.
Feb 17, 2011 1:49AM PST

1) Around ten years old.
2) Quite easy.
3) Since I am not physically going anywhere, it is not a journey. It is a continuing learning process.
4) I'm not sure, I just look for solutions.
5) Not really.
6) I didn't see any real difficulty.
7) All day long. Any device with a chip in it is a computing device. Be more specific.
Cool Is this a hardware or software question?

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I am Ronald
Feb 18, 2011 4:23AM PST

Hello, I would like to start off this post by saying thanks to Lee for raising my question as Question of the Week. I remember trying to arouse interest in forums in the past and getting no responses Sad
Question of the Week moves mountains!

Thank you all for responding to my question. I never thought I would get this many responses and I just wanted to say even if your response was not the one that goes out on this weeks' email I have been reading them all anyway! I do wonder if there can be apathy on forums at times because although you all have something valid to say you reckon the original poster won't get to your own?

I started this project in the Autumn/Fall term last year but given I need to submit an approx 15,000 word report after Easter was terrified of getting to work and there was the setback I had above. I also have a presentation to do about it in a couple weeks so avoiding it was prob not the answer.

What has been good is although views differ in the group, as one would expect there are many common themes you all mention e.g. computing has got more complex, newer versions of software do not necessarily innovate, the body of knowledge in IT has grown.

Some people have asked if they can be of any further help to me. If you could email me with the names of any articles, journals... that agree with or challenge any of your stances it would be AMAZING. I let myself down on previous essays I did where I could have pulled in more academic examples relating to what I was discussing. ronald.grant AT hotmail.co.uk (replace "AT" with "@")

I am quite glad that nearly everybody was able to respond to the questions without confusion. Upon drafting them and my question I was concerned to be concise as I could or people might just skip the mail. It did sort of lead to cases of ambiguity in a few questions e.g. do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now. It was great people were answering it from their own perspectives AND hypothesising a 3rd parties'. Sorry to the people who were frustrated with me about it.

Numerous responses made me laugh at points e.g. the foam baseball bats for coping with the pc's that were not responding! Oh yeah and a respondent who said they would contact their attorney as a coping strategy. There is this joke in the UK that Americans sue for anything though surely they were not implying they sue over difficulties Wink

I will endeavour to respond to people in due course. I've been reading this flat out over the past week and have some other essays to get on with. I will be skydiving in Perris, CA over my Easter break but I'll have the discipline to get this done.I will share the essay then.

One more thing. Some of you said that I should strive to talk to other user groups given people here are more likely to be stronger users and therefore non reflective of society at large. I have been speaking to non IT people I know, older people who have not grown up with IT and a group who helps users who developed pc related injuries. I got further suggestions from people in this group and will look at these areas too.

Thanks again, Ronald

Note: This post was edited by forum moderator To edit email address to prevent abuse by spam harvesters. on 02/18/2011 on 3:51 PM PT

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I am Ronald
Feb 18, 2011 8:59AM PST

Can you remember when you started using computers? 1999 (aged 61)

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with? Not at all: I bought a PC because I had to write a PhD thesis (in economic history); by the time I submitted my thesis I reckoned that about 20% of all the hours I'd spent were getting to learn how to use the computer, eg formatting a single table in Word could take me a whole morning.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? See Q 2. I found Excel a particularly challenging program, even with the help of the computer dept of the university. The first real challenges were getting to grips with the language (jargon?) - what exactly was a file, and how did it differ from a folder (ridiculously easy things for those who know, but utterly baffling to those who don't, and many "simple" terms are not explained in the manuals.

-- Do you have any challenges even now? Changed to Mac in 2005 with no difficulty, but can't remember how to operate in PC mode any longer. My technically competent son is my permanent helper - thank goodness.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? University dept; books; my son;internet

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? Much easier: every hour spent on the computer trains my (aged) brain. But it is still capable of reducing me to a complete rage (v rarely now).

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? Up to 3 hours (turning thesis into a book)

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now? Two edged sword: I believe that the computer is at one very basic level un-human, and bad to be with; but how does one operate in a world which is steadily leaning more and more on the computer?

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Easy
Feb 18, 2011 8:30AM PST

Microsoft Windows. MSFT really doesn't have a clue as to what the user wants or needs in a computer.

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What Microsoft wants vs. what users want...
Feb 18, 2011 9:16AM PST

Amen! Microsoft treats the average user like he has a network with 100+ terminals to manage. They ought to start at the bottom, simply, and let the corporations add in their networking features. Instead, the home user has to weed out which corporate features he doesn't need, and then he still has to fight the complexity of being an "administrator" nearly every day.

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They aren't difficult to use
Feb 18, 2011 8:45AM PST

- Can you remember when you started using computers?
It depends. Personal computers - 1992

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
Yes, reasonably so.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
Reasonably straight forward for a new technology.

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

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
Patience and persistence. And information.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
Don't understand this question. Past callenges have been tackled and no longer exist. New challenges aren't past challenges.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
You don't "interact" with coputer devices. You "use" them. On a typical working day I'm at my computer screen for 5 or 6 hours. Sometimes more.

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

I think some of the language in which these questions are couched is rather presupposing if not loaded.

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Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 18, 2011 8:47AM PST

I started using mainframes in 1958 and PCs as soon as they were available for corporated word procesing. Have been using PCs ever since.

Being somewhat technically oriented, is was relatively easy for me.

The journey has be somewhat straight forward. The challenges were, and are, making the time to learn new software and devices that work with the computer. These challenges continue.

I don't think the challenges are any easier because the complexities keep increasing.

I spend 4 to 7 hours using the computer each working day and saturday even though I am retired.

I do appreciate the extended functionality of today's computing.

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Answering Your Query
Feb 18, 2011 8:47AM PST

Can you remember when you started using computers?
Yep, in 1983 with a Commodere 64

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
Nope. Took some time and a lot of mistakes.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
Never has been straightforward and took a lot of patience and preserverance. Still does at times.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
There are challenges and that is what makes it interesting. My latest is to flash my BiOS using AUFDOS rather than AUFWIN from a flash drive to an unlocked version. This actually a first for me, and then the next challenge of working with an unlocked BiOS which I have never done.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
Yeah, Lots of Jack Daniels. Just kidding, I usually won't let it bother me too much. If I have a problem that gets too consuming, I'll move on to something else and come back if possible. Usually after a lot more research to find the answers. I have had my frustrations, but once I've solved it, the feeling of accomplishment is worth it.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
In some respects. Over the years, the knowledge I have aquired makes things easier to deal with than before.

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices? 12 Hrs or so ( I moderate two forums ).

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing
I have yet to to get beyond the "normal" usage in that I am not that deep into the media aspects as in TV and such. As it is it probably takes up more of my time then it should.

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Computer difficulty
Feb 18, 2011 8:49AM PST

-- [When] I started using computers in the late 1960's (in the military service). We prepared punch cards and tapes. My first personal computer was a Commodore 64 (I believe that today there are toasters and washing machines with more computing power.).

-- [Easy] I found the involvement interesting, even fun, so ease wasn't a concern.

-- [Challenges] Some things were challenging, others seemed pretty simple.

-- [Challenges now] Sure, any time I go outside my realm of experience, I encounter challenges. I believe that everyone encounters challenges (even the super-techies) when they're faced with a question which is out of their knowledge base.

-- [Coping] I remind myself that everyone encounters challenges (ibid), and, that if it's being done somewhere else, there will be an answer.

-- [Easier now] It's so different now. Computer literacy is an expectation, even in day to day life (toasters and washing machines).

-- [How long/ day] Work computer, iPhone, home computer: two to four hours/ day.

-- [Appreciate functionality] I still find it interesting and fun. I am NOT a techie (I work in construction). I greatly appreciate the functionality.

Thank you.

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computer difficulties
Feb 18, 2011 8:52AM PST

- Can you remember when you started using computers?
1988, an IMB dual-floppy XT. Leading Edge, remember them?

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
No. I needed lots o' help.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
You develop skills over time, often through sometimes painful trial and error. I had a neighbor help me decipher my first Windows machine, and he taught me a lot. One big problem was messing around with shareware, which really flummoxed things at certain points.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
Not really. For the most part, it's "old hat." The latter versions of Windows are, IMO, very elegant and intuitive, very user-friendly.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
As I said, I relied on a neighbor. Also, Google is man's best friend.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
Infinitely. There are so many resources for help (as in Google, mentioned above)

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
4-6 hours. sometimes more.

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?
Absolutely. I could never go back.

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Yes; I remember them
Feb 18, 2011 8:13PM PST

I remember Leading Edge. do you remember CompuAdd? Now that was a great system. too bad they grew too fast and couldn't sustain themselves. I had a CompuAdd 286, and loved it. It was as good a computer for its time as any.

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Simple answer
Feb 18, 2011 8:54AM PST

There is a very simple, accurate general answer to the question posed here. The answer is that computers and associated software is designed by very, very highly trained engineers and scientists (aka high level geeks) and the ordinary human mind is totally ignored in the process. Many software programs are actually made to be as complicated as possible as a statement of how "geeky" the developer is. The situation might be similar to what an automobile would be like if only top level race car drivers designed the automobile with no regard to how the typical driver would use the automobile.

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Highly trained engineers = "Watch this, hold my beer."
Feb 20, 2011 7:30AM PST

(not sarcastic, too much, but mostly TIC...)

What in the world makes ya think there are any "...very, very highly trained engineers and scientists..." involved in computers and associated software?
.
.
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I sure know what ya mean though. From what I've seen, most of the really good software is built by developers that never finished college and couldn't stand it when the had to keep training their professors because they (the student) already had more experience than the professors. It also has very few bells and whistles, doesn't try to accomplish every task you might be able to imagine for a computer, and has an interface that makes it darned near impossible to misunderstand what you're using it for or what you're supposed to do next.

Definitely NOT built by a big conglomerate - didya ever see the cartoon about how a camel was designed, or how OSHA regs would change a cowboy and their horse? Well, that goes a long way toward exemplifying how I feel software or hardware development processes are handled within large corporate structures. I think the truly successful software is built by fairly small independent teams that understand and follow established "standards". (whether they be public or proprietary standards, doesn't make a lot of diff.)

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Ok
Feb 25, 2011 3:29PM PST

Well, I was trying to be nice to the TOTALLY out-of-touch geeks who develop the software that more ordinary humans are expected to be excited over and know how to use.

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Why are computers so difficult to use?
Feb 18, 2011 8:56AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers? Aug. 1967

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

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were? changing to programming in a Windows environment from a top-down environment

-- Do you have any challenges even now? No.

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies? None that were unsurmountable.

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now? Yes, they are easier now as there are tools for both the developer and the end user. The difficulty now is deciding which tool to use and on which platform

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?2-3 hours

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now. Oh yes on both the PC, Apple, and sometimes Linux based OSes.

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survey answers
Feb 18, 2011 9:02AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?
In a FORTRAN programming class in 1972.

-- Would you say this was an easy process to get to grips with?
Not easy, but fascinating! Led to my career.

-- Since then, has your journey been straightforward, and if not, can you remember what some of your challenges were?
Hardly - a career in IT and then teaching computer science in a rapidly changing environment. Biggest challenges - switching from files to databases; from mainframe to PC/Mac environment; from text-based to GUI

-- Do you have any challenges even now?
mainly keeping up with tech changes - they are fast and furious

-- Did you/do you have any coping strategies?
work at it and nto trying to keep up with everything, just the changes necessary for my work

-- Looking back, do you think the challenges you faced are any easier to tackle now?
different, but not easier; change is still rapid

-- On a typical day, how long will you be interacting with computer devices?
4-5 hours on a work day

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?
yes - sitting at a coffee shop using a wireless laptop SURE beats sitting at a keypunch machine in a computer center!

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Why are computers still so difficult to use?
Feb 18, 2011 9:16AM PST

-- Can you remember when you started using computers?

Yes, it was about 1980. Actually the first computer was my TI-58 Calculator, then an Apple II at work. For my first home computer it was a Tomy Tutor, then a Commodore 64.

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

No, moderately difficult. Adapting to the various OS and BASICs.

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

When I first encountered an Apple Mac. The GUI interface was not like I had encountered in using the Commodore and IBM graphical interfaces.

-- Do you have any challenges even now?

Yes, every time Windows is upgraded.

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

Complaining as I learn the new and different stuff.

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

Of course. 30 years of experience does give one a leg up in general.

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

10 - 12 hours, directly. Noting that it is even more as I do drive a computer controlled car, watch a computer controlled TV, and make computer controlled phone calls. (So far at least I can take a shower without one being involved.)

-- Do you appreciate the extended functionality/increasing pervasiveness of computing now?
Yes and no. It can make troubleshooting your car and TV more difficult and expensive.

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Why are computers difficult to use? The Answer
Feb 18, 2011 9:17AM PST

This is very simple: computers cannot understand speech.

This week's Jeopardy match between 2 former champions (they were Very, Very Good) and Watson, a 2800 node supercomputer built expressly for answering Jeopardy questions, illustrates this perfectly. Despite it's staggering computing power, Watson had to be fed the questions via a text file!

Until computers can understand speech they will be difficult to use.

John Schuler

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As Scotty put it.
Feb 28, 2011 1:47PM PST

"NCC-1701. No bloody A, B, C or D!"

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Why are computers still so difficult to use
Feb 18, 2011 9:22AM PST

Computers unfortunately need a heart, being the OS to function. This is rather like a modern car which needs and engine management system to run which itself can be updated