I'm on the phone with a 65+ year old having him install our software onto his machine(s). I have been doing software installing/training for going on 7 years now. I know how to deal with people and their lack of knowledge of computers. Hell, I don't know all that much about 'em. I just know my way around them enough to not look like an idiot.

But this guy. Jesus. Makes me wonder why he's even trying. I mean by the time he learns everything he needs to about the software, he literally may be dead. Either that or I'll have to put a rifle in my mouth because I can tell right now that he's gonna be calling me every fucking day for the rest of my days here.

I understand the dude is running a business and he thinks our software will help him do so, which is great. But when I have to explain to you what right-click means, it may be time to pass me on to someone who has the slightest idea what the fuck I'm talking about.

I can tell you that if and when I'm that age, I will avoid learning anything that will cause me any stress what-so-ever.

I'm not really a glass-half-full type of guy, but it sounds like job security to me (at least until you off yourself).

Try dealing with folks 40 and older applying for college for the first time to a school that is predominantly online even if you're considered an "on-campus" student and are having trouble filling out an online application. I will take that same rifle and stick it in their mouths. At the very least, I feel your pain.

My old boss used to draw on my monitor with his pens.

i took my mom's computer away after she couldnt find the space bar because there was no key that had the word space on it.

Just as long as your first question isn't : "I want you to go to the back of the computer. The cord coming out of the back, is it plugged into the wall?"

I fucking loathe that.

Bro I hear ya..I've been working the help desk for over 8 years and I know what your going through...I love having to show people with PHDs/Nursing Degrees how to set their emil in date order..Or you have to walk them through "Right click copy, and then go to document you want to use and right click, paste"..

I will never forget when my grandparents bought a VCR.
This was 5 or 6 years ago. They (my grandparents) told me that they had rented their very first movie - but when they put it on, the wrong movie started playing on the screen. So they returned the movie. Turns out they had never heard of previews and didn't recognize that they were watching movie ads.

These same grandparents got high-speed internet last month. They have already called me a few times with questions regarding emailing. Like: "Your aunt just checked my e-mail on her computer, so I don't think it's on mine anymore. What do I do?"

It's people like you, Busty Rhodes, that save others from having to deal with their senile relatives. You're a hero.

It kills me when I have to help one of my superiors find something on their computer and teach them some new software. I do it with a smile, despite the fact I don't get paid anything more for helping them and that I usually have to show them the same stupid task three times before they even remotely understand it. I've only taken like two computer classes ever and basically taught myself to use every program I need for my job, I don't understand how someone can build and maintain an HVAC system but can't comprehend how to use a Network.

I had to deal with a 95-year old donor the other day...he was talking gobbly-guck...all I could do was sound pleasant and do lots of reassuring of how great his [minor] gift of 15 years ago was.

point form:

1) I love my Mom

2) My step-Dad emailed me the other day... I held off on replying too quickly so he wouldn't assume I could "chat" cos I was at work. Still, I replied within 10mins.

3) I get home from work and there's an email from my Mom sent 45mins after I had replied to my step-Dad saying: "I heard from 'Bob' that you're on your email so I figured I'd ask you this question... etc. etc."

4) My question to you: What is it about "older" computers users that causes them to a) call it "on email", it sounds like "on uv" or something, is it some kind of fundamental misconception about what the internet is and how it works?, and b) why do they think I'll still be "on" it 45mins later?

5) I love my Mom.

That is funny.

my mother's only 52, but her comprehension of what makes up a computer and the internet is baffling. she sent me a series of emails last week (at least she's finally remembered how to log into gmail) about "the website MOZILLA FIREFOX" and its great world news. i told her that it was only a browser and then explained what a browser is. then i directed her to bbc news online. and she wrote back asking if MOZILLA FIREFOX was not a good website for world news. there're constantly other issues, but this was the most recent.

i thought you worked for trek?

I do. Trek bought the rights to the point of sale software that we pimp. So we only sell to Trek dealers. We are here in the Trek HQ in Waterloo.

And I know dick about bikes.

In my last job, which was in IT, specifically covering wireless e-mail/infrastructure. I had a client who refused to use e-mail. Because she never knew if the person on the other end would receive the message.

I mean, cool, if it's 1997 even, I can understand the learning curve getting in the way and whatnot...but this was 2002 and she actually worked in an IT dept for some F500 company. Probably Comcast.

Heh... my grandmother LOVES her email. But doesn't know how to go to a webpage she doesn't already have saved in her favorites. My mother, however, is a downright hacker. She spews computer languages left and right. She's a housewife, and other than basic office work more than 12 years ago, she hasn't been trained in computer-related things. She just taught it all to herself. And most of it she learned when we just had a WebTV.

whoa, webtv. that's been awhile.

my mother still calls to ask if i received an email. i keep telling her that it's pretty reliable, but she just wants to check.

Mine emails, then calls to add more details, then emails again. God bless her.

heh heh

"Where's the any key?"