Actually - it's all of us that are the problem. In fact those of us that like tech may be the bigger problem, because we're the ones who keep encouraging more and more computer use.
Nowadays you have to be able to use a computer, but few people have time to learn to do it properly. My parents and Grandparents will never be tech-savvy enough to deal with Windows - but what other choice do they have.
Don't know how integrated your city is but here in T.O. it costs you money not to have a machine. For example:
Job hunting - increasing numbers of palces only accept resumes via e-mail (plus try working in an office with no computer skills).
Banking - internet banking is free, tellers cost $2.00, phone banking & bank machine cost $1.25
Government - Many services are free online but cost if you go in person or request something via mail (not to mention the time wasted in lines).
411 - costs $.65 to $.75 cents whereas online phone books are free.
Taxes - You get your refund in two weeks or less if you file online. It can take two months if you file on paper.
These are real examples of actual cases where not using a machine costs a person money - Yet how can we expect someone who works full time and is sixty or seventy, to learn something that took us years (no matter how much of a techie you are, you weren't born knowing how to code and if you think you were good within the first five years of ever seeing a machine - you're kidding yourself).
These people need an operating system that is universal, so they can talk about it easily and learn from others. Most importantly so they can build on their experiences rather than have to learn something entirely new each time they interact with a machine. Imagine taking a plane and having to learn to speak a different language each time you flew over a new country.
What we need is a UNIVERSAL OS that belongs to no-one and is as easy to use as MAC-OS or Windows.
This is what we should be calling for - expecting people to be computer competent is like expecting everyone to know how to give CPR, you can't so you have EMTs & doctors.
So where is our UNIVERSAL OS? Stop worrying about $$$ and copyrights and work towards the common good.
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Actually - it's all of us that are the problem. In fact those of us that like tech may be the bigger problem, because we're the ones who keep encouraging more and more computer use. Nowadays you have to be able to use a computer, but few people have time to learn to do it properly. My parents and Grandparents will never be tech-savvy enough to deal with Windows - but what other choice do they have. Don't know how integrated your city is but here in T.O. it costs you money not to have a machine. For example: Job hunting - increasing numbers of palces only accept resumes via e-mail (plus try working in an office with no computer skills). Banking - internet banking is free, tellers cost $2.00, phone banking & bank machine cost $1.25 Government - Many services are free online but cost if you go in person or request something via mail (not to mention the time wasted in lines). 411 - costs $.65 to $.75 cents whereas online phone books are free. Taxes - You get your refund in two weeks or less if you file online. It can take two months if you file on paper. These are real examples of actual cases where not using a machine costs a person money - Yet how can we expect someone who works full time and is sixty or seventy, to learn something that took us years (no matter how much of a techie you are, you weren't born knowing how to code and if you think you were good within the first five years of ever seeing a machine - you're kidding yourself). These people need an operating system that is universal, so they can talk about it easily and learn from others. Most importantly so they can build on their experiences rather than have to learn something entirely new each time they interact with a machine. Imagine taking a plane and having to learn to speak a different language each time you flew over a new country. What we need is a UNIVERSAL OS that belongs to no-one and is as easy to use as MAC-OS or Windows. This is what we should be calling for - expecting people to be computer competent is like expecting everyone to know how to give CPR, you can't so you have EMTs & doctors. So where is our UNIVERSAL OS? Stop worrying about $$$ and copyrights and work towards the common good.