What to tell the computer illiterate?
 

I've been thinking of putting together a kind of manual or readme for some 'computer illiterate' users that I know. You ppl like that, people that think defragmenting and formatting are the same thing. The reason is that I can not stand the abuse of PCs sometimes.
I don't mean to say that everyone using a comp should be an IT specialist, but for gods sake, it's not a mixer but an expensive piece of electronics, at least learn the basics.

Today I fixed the comp or a relative who recently bought a new 2.5 GHz. And after owning it for only 2 months, it already ran MUCH slower than my 1.8.

So what would you put in this 'manual', this manual that SHOULD come with every Dell, Packard Bell and other kinds of pre-installed Win XP machines.

My thoughts so far:
- Defrag your HD at least once a month
- WINDOWS UPDATE! At LEAST once every 2 weeks
- If you don't need it, don't let it start up at boot time
- Get an anti-virus (something most ppl fortunately do) and UPDATE!

Suggestions...?

Also, when I point out to them that their computers are infested with spy-ware, they ask me what it is. I tell them it is software that monitors your Internet usage and uses it to customize ads you see. And then they tell me "So...?" and ask me why the hell they would go to all the 'trouble' to run Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D.
What do I tell these people who obviously don't care about privacy?

Woo someone feels the same way as me. I really can't stand people like this and their are so many were I live. The example with the spy-ware.... countless times that occured to me.

Things to add:
Don't just delelte files. Make sure you uninstall them first or else it totally useles.
Don't open up random e-mails.
Don't delete or mess with any file that you are not sure what it does and even if you do double check.

Thats just about all I can think of for right now

You forgot the most basic, Read the f**king directions.
Also, consumers will treat computers as glorified appliances as long as the computer industry continues to market them that way.
There not really, but some people seem to believe that junk.

Man oh man... The spyware ignorance is something I run into VERY often. People should really be more aware of whats going on and taking control, rather than going "ooh, this computer is REALLY smart, so I'll just let it sort things out!".

Here's one:

- Are you interested in knowing if that food you're putting in your mouth is past the expiration date, or that the medicine you are taking might make you sick?

Since the answer is most likely "YES", why not treat your PC with the same respect you treat your body with? Sure, Bonzi Buddy may be cute, and Gator helps you remember those passwords you always forget, but find out what they are really about first, and find alternatives, just like you would witih food and medicine.

Your body is your temple, and your computer is your pantheon. Keep the gods happy and your files organized, and they will let you get on with your work instead of sending a BSOD when you need your PC most.

- Do you close the blinds when you are changing in front of the window? Or close the bathroom door when you do your business? Do you lock the front door when you leave?

If you answered yes, then how about making security and privacy a priority on your PC as well. Using a computer without a firewall is like having a public walkway right through your living room, all the while peeing naked with the door open. I pity da foo' who thinks he's invisible online.

- Nobody wants to be ignorant about their health. A doctor is always there to let you know when you've got a raging case of syphilis. But nobody will tell you if you don't ask, so yearly checkups are always smart.

If you are not one to ignore your health, don't ignore that of your PC. Have a virus scanner running in the background, and set it to automatically update its virus reference files.


I wonder if this would actually work in convincing people to not be idiots about their computer use ... :D

A heads-up on spyware ridden programs would be useful. I cringe when I see people running Kazaa (not Kazaa Lite), or has some horrible Gator-like toolbar embedded into IE. Let them know what the common culprits are: Real Player, Gator... whatever else is out there these days.

Unfortunately, you will probably need to put this into that manual.
http://web14.compaq.com/falco/detail.asp?FAQnum=FAQ2859

I would say that in general a firewall would be good to recommend, but the setup is usually too difficult for many users.

Also i have to recommend that they need to know how to use e-mail.. i.e. do NOT open/run everything that gets sent to you in e-mail, even if it is from a "friend".... too many bad things can happen.

1. Read everything that comes up on the screen before you make a selection.
2. Read everything next to a checkbox twice before making a selection.
3. Do not 'play' around in the folders. ( A lot of customers frequently start a call off with "I was playing around in Windows....")
4. Disable the Preview Pane in Outlook Express.
5. If you are not expecting someone to send you an email do not open an email. (Unless you do need to make your penis/breasts larger. If so then I would recommend eBay its probably cheaper.)
6. Do NOT click 'Unsubscribe'. Just delete the message. (You should not have opened it anyway.)
7. Do not download any program with an animal mascot as a general precaution. Even if they are cute.
8. The first program you should install on your computer upon receipt is a virus detector.
9. The first task you should do is to update the virus program you just installed. Not check your email or logon to AIM. Then set the program to automatically update and scan.
10. If you must use a P2P program then expect to be calling tech support at least once a month because you will be downloading virus laden files and you probably skipped numbers 8 and 9.
11. If something is not functioning correctly then reboot the computer. If the same problem is still happening then call the appropriate technical support.

If the previous instuctions are not followed then the computer should be boxed up and returned.

I wholeheartedly disagree with that advice. How else are they gonna learn? Experience is, after all, the best teacher. People shoud be prepared for the consequences of their "playing around," but that doesn't mean they shouldn't do so. I agree that they should still go out of their way to learn certain important things, perhaps by reading something like RelaX's manual. But otherwise: go ahead, fuck with Windows! Break it! Fixing it is where the real fun is, anyway. :p

We were all computer illiterate at one point. And I don't think I'm alone in becoming familiar with Windows through messing around with it.

Moskie-
If users would follow step 1 first then I say go ahead and search around and see how the operating sytem and programs work.
I too am guilty of looking around the directories to learn. Only difference was that if I did not understand what was about to happen as instructed by the message on the screen then I would look in the manual, help file or online for an explanation.
The majority of customers that I talk to on a daily basis however, skip number 1.
I was only including items that I felt users should follow as it would cut the time I am on the phone by over half :)

When I sell someone a computer I tell them

"You don't buy a car and expect to drive it 50000 miles without maintenence. Your computer needs maintenence too, and if you get it done regularly it will last you 3~5 years at least".

Most people are very comfortable with something as soon as they can relate it too something else.

Windows Update - only if you need it

If your computer runs fine without it, you do not need it.

Know the spyware - Realplayer, Gator, Bonzibuddy

Using KaZaA and not KaZaA Lite

:| It runs fine until the latest worm wrecks your system. Seriously, running Windows w/o the latest critical updates installed is asking for trouble.

- Computers are more logical than you.

I think one of the reasons a lot of people get themselves into trouble with their computers, is because of the way they think about what it is, and how it works.

a lot of people i talk to think their computer and their operating system are one, and that when software fails or errors, that their computer is "breaking".

it's more of a mindset than anything else. all it takes is a bit of research into the workings of a computer, and the concept of a PC, and i think a large population of people would be a lot more computer savvy.

i'm not trying to say that everyone should be an expert about everything they come into contact with, but if you have an idea of how your car works, chances are you'll be able to pick up on problems and remedy them before they become too drastic. the same goes for the computer, learn what it is you're using, so at least the basics you can take care of yourself.

it's not like computers are a fad or anything. they aren't going away any time soon.

For people who don't really care about privacy, give them identity theft horror stories. Even if they don't submit personal info online, maybe you can get them to believe that even a novice hacker can somehow gather all their info from that webcam sitting on top of their computer. Even if they don't give out personal info online, tell them that without protection, their names and location can be gathered from their email! Good luck!

tell them to get web tv :)

more like "avoid Outlook or outlook express like the plague and get a real mail client"

Never EVER delete .dll files even if you don't think that they are used for anything. (this goes for .com .sys .bat .pif files too)

get a pop-up blocker.

in addition to AdAware AND SpybotS&D, install//run programs like spyware blaster and MRU-Blaster and innoculate against spyware

Don't install anything other than antivirus and firewall software unless you intend to use it. If you don't need it, uninstall it.

Big one: Regardless of how many times you ask me, memory still has nothing ot do with your hard drive space.

Back it up and keep it in a separate location if you wouldn't want it lost in a fire. You never know when a hacker might go through your folders and delete everything, including the last pictures you had of your father while he was still alive.