What Should People Understand About Computers?

counterexample asks: "It seems to me that there aren't very many good books out there that explain to the layman what is really going on with computers. My mother cannot go to the bookstore and pick up a book that will make her understand the strange language that we IT people speak, or why her computer would be susceptible to a virus. So, I intend to write such a book. I have a fair idea of what should be in it (history of the Internet, how computers talk to each other, what a hard drive does, etc.), but I'm interested to see what you all have to say. What do you wish your users knew? What kind of questions are you so sick of answering because you hear them every week? What does the general public think they understand, but really don't?"

Comments

Don't have to

[biocute]

Normal computer users do not have to understand what is really going on with computers, they are simply -- users. Like users of washing machines, they don't need to know how the machine spins, or how many gallon of hot water to mix with cold one when how why.

So in layman's term, computer is an electronic appliance, you plug in the power, turn it on and use it.

If you own a Microsoft-branded machine, it usually comes with preset icons, DO NOT MOVE OR DELETE OR CHANGE THEM, just click on those icons to perform your daily task, like Outlook Express for email, Internet Explorer for web and online banking. When you're done, click on the START button to shutdown, it's like you need to open the front door in order to get out.

Remember, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT modify your appliance by adding, removing or changing any settings or program, this will void your warranty. You don't simply add a 12-hour timer in your washing machine, you just use the 3-hour and 6-hour options built into the machine.

Viruses may attempt to enter and destroy your appliance by asking you if you want to install such-and-such program. It's like your husband asking if he can put his red shirt in a load of white washings, and the answer is always NO. Saying yes to anything that changes your appliance in any way will void your warranty, which includes installation, modification and uninstallation.

If you really need to do something risky, such as visiting a new website, try getting a program named FireFox. It's like when you're washing your new $500 bra for the first time, you use a bra net. You may continue to use the bra net every time if you want to.

A factory-default (that is, unmodified) machine will usually do what we call self-maintenance, like a self-cleaning process in some washing machines. You may notice your appliance being busy for a while, then tells you your appliance has been updated, which is good.