| By :
Betty Locke
One would think that young people these days are born in cyberspace. Digital manipulations come completely natural and spontaneous to them. Technology is so much second nature to the young that they take it all for granted, assuming that everyone must experience the same ease of use. However, there are still some older people to whom the whole computer thing is an intimidating mystery. They gaze in horror at the keys wildly clutching at excuses not to get involved. One such person I know declared, "My parents didn't have a computer and they survived. What was good enough for them is good enough for me!" My long time and long distance friend Charlie called me from across the country to tell me that his daughter had gifted him with a computer for his birthday. He groaned, "Betty, what am I supposed to do with a computer? After all I am seventy five years old!" I could sense the fright in his voice. I said, "Well Charlie, it's not that bad. When you unpacked it did you take note of all the parts?" "Unpack it? No ma'am. It is still in the boxes! It is a bunch of big and little black pieces and cords and plugs and lord knows what all wrapped in plastic and Styrofoam." He went on, "You know, Marcie said to me, "Dad, you need a computer. Everyone has a computer these days."" "Then she said, "Dad you can use it for e-mail (what the heck is e-mail?) and writing letters and buying stuff and paying bills. Is she kidding? " " "She forgot a few things Charlie. You can keep up to date on the news and you can find all kinds of entertainment on the internet. You can play card games too. Not only that but you can make money with it as well. Why, you could supplement your pension." "I could? But I don't even know how to type!" "Don't panic Charlie. It is a strange scary beast to you now but it doesn't bite. You will get used to it. It will become your friend. You don't need to know how to type. Just look at the keys and spell your words with one finger at a time. It is called hen pecking but it works, Eventually when you feel up to it there are good programs out there that teach typing and you can go at your own pace." "But how will that make money on the internet? How do I learn about that?" "Poor Charlie. If only you lived closer, Well, ask your grand kids to help. Kids take to this stuff like ducks to water! Our generation is afraid to swim." "I don't know.... I just don't know. Marcie will be so disappointed if I store it away and don't use it!" "Oh Charlie, that is not an option. Look I'll tell you what. Ask young William to set it up for you. How old is he now? Nine? He'll do just fine. He will know what to connect to what. He will get you started and when in time you want to try your hand at building a website or a blog there are programs that teach you step by step. There are kindergarten courses designed just for newbies like us." "Newbies?" "Newbies Charlie. It means novices like you and me. Next time you see Marcie tell her you are getting along fine with the spooky brute. In fact, if you promise to give it a good try I will buy you a coaching course for Christmas." "OK, if you say so. Thanks Betty. I'll give it a shot. As soon as its running I'll let you know." 'Send me an e-mail," I said before hanging up. "Goodbye Charlie."
|
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlesbacklink.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
