Re. Computer phobia

[Geoff Hart <geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA>]

     There are a few "biggies" I've observed that may be causes of computer
     phobia for some people. These are they, with possible solutions:

     1. "I'm not smart enough to learn something this complicated." Avoid
     any of the indications of complexity. For ex., don't explain what a
     hard disk is and how it works, but rather say that the "save" function
     stores the file so you can work on it again later. Teach about hard
     disks once the person is familiar with and comfortable with "saving".
     Another thing that works well is helping the person understand that if
     they can complete a Ph.D. and defend it against a hostile thesis
     committee (or similarly difficult achievement), they can certainly
     master something as simple as a computer.

     2. "What if it doesn't want to do what I want it to?" Turn it off. I
     once earned someone's undying gratitude by resolving an intractable
     problem with a photocopier we had nicknamed "the antiChrist" because
     of its attitude towards anyone with a tight deadline. I stepped in,
     turned off the copier, and rebooted it, and provided the quotable
     quote "Don't forget, it may be smarter than we are, but we can always
     turn it off." (Note: A cup of coffee, waved near the beast's
     vulnerable electronics with a muttered threat, also guaranteed the
     problems would disappear. Talk about yer ghosts in the machine!)

     3. "Pace of change is too fast." Everyone resists change to some
     extent, but can learn to embrace it to a sufficient degree that they
     can cope. Find out why that person fears change and you can address
     the root of the problem. One common cause is "so much to learn, so
     little time", and the solution is to simplify what the person has to
     learn, concentrating on the fundamentals.

     --Geoff Hart    @8^{)}
     geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca

     Disclaimer: If I didn't commit it in print in one of
     our reports, it don't represent FERIC's opinion.