Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Strictly a rhetorical question, I guess....

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I can't help but feel that things should have
gotten easier with the evolvement of computers, rather than the other way
around.

I'm not new to computers, just new to XP. I mistakenly thought I'd be able
to hook up and go, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Here we have a
whole host of newsgroups dealing with every specific issue, and web sites
devoted to fixes, tweaks, upgrades, etc.

We have to re-educate ourselves, ask questions and read volumes just to be
able to perform 'simpl' tasks on our computers.

Lois

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

When new gadgets, accessories and luxuries are added to an automobile do you
not have to re-educate yourself in their correct and proper usage?

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)

If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!


"Lois G." <legalois10pounds@erols.com> wrote in message
newsQU1%23py7EHA.3856@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Strictly a rhetorical question, I guess....
>
> Maybe I'm in the minority, but I can't help but feel that things should
> have gotten easier with the evolvement of computers, rather than the other
> way around.
>
> I'm not new to computers, just new to XP. I mistakenly thought I'd be able
> to hook up and go, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Here we have a
> whole host of newsgroups dealing with every specific issue, and web sites
> devoted to fixes, tweaks, upgrades, etc.
>
> We have to re-educate ourselves, ask questions and read volumes just to be
> able to perform 'simpl' tasks on our computers.
>
> Lois
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Richard Urban wrote:
> When new gadgets, accessories and luxuries are added to an automobile do you
> not have to re-educate yourself in their correct and proper usage?


Thats why I still Have an OLD 1989 Vehicle.. Those NEW gadgets are
un-necessary.. just more money for the manufactures.. no sence of
BUYING something That HAS GADGETS that you DONNOT need

>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

"Lois G." <legalois10pounds@erols.com> wrote in message
newsQU1%23py7EHA.3856@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Strictly a rhetorical question, I guess....
>
> Maybe I'm in the minority, but I can't help but feel that things should
> have gotten easier with the evolvement of computers, rather than the other
> way around.
>
> I'm not new to computers, just new to XP. I mistakenly thought I'd be able
> to hook up and go, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Here we have a
> whole host of newsgroups dealing with every specific issue, and web sites
> devoted to fixes, tweaks, upgrades, etc.
>
> We have to re-educate ourselves, ask questions and read volumes just to be
> able to perform 'simpl' tasks on our computers.
>
> Lois
>

Depends on what you mean by "tweaking" but by my definition, no, you really
don't need to fiddle with a lot of settings to be up and running. Of course
it also depends on the programs you're running and what you want to
accomplish. But the operating system doesn't need much from you at all. On
the other hand, you can spend hours playing with colors, screensavers,
backgrounds, sound schemes, etc., none of which are necessary. Things like
system updates have become more automated, so that's become easier. And
Windows "help" files have become a lot better. Some things are done a bit
differently, but I don't think they've become more difficult at all.

Consider the telephone. Way back when, you picked it up and told the
operator who to connect you with. A cell phone nowadays has a lot of buttons
and gadgets. It has the same basic function -- to call somebody -- but a new
phone includes a lot of functions that never existed before, so there's some
learning curve.

Some people tweak because they like to. And people have different learning
styles. Some are comfortable with the idea of clicking buttons and figuring
out how to do things, while others want detailed instructions and
explanations.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Ah, but that's the difference -- when a new gadget, say a satellite tracking
system, is put in a fancy new car, the steering wheel still turns left and
right the way it used to, you don't have to relearn how to open and close
the door, etc. You generally have to only learn to use the ADDED
capabilities .. even if you have remote entry, you can choose not to use it
and use the key. The problem, as Lois G. points out, is that one has to
relearn to drive from the very basics with each new updated operating
system. All of sudden the gear shift has moved behind the driver's seat and
it's a rotary dial instead of a stick, and you have to hold in the cigarette
lighter before it works. The real problem is that this stuff is all
designed by people whose very lives revolve around computers, and
specifically Windows, using state of the art hardware, and unlike auto
manufacturers no one seems to have checked in with ordinary drivers/users
(as opposed to racing buffs or heads of corporate systems departments).

There is also the problem that it takes education and expertise to do simple
things simply and to stay out of trouble, although things are getting
somewhat better -- e.g., computers ship with the system settings wide open
to vulnarabilites, and to make them secure the user has to restrict browser
and email settings (or get other software), install virus and firewall, etc.
Rationally, the DEFAULT would be for secure systems, allowing the user to
open them up for specific purposes as they gain an idea of what they're
doing and (hopefully) the dangers involved.

"Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote ..
> When new gadgets, accessories and luxuries are added to an automobile do
you
> not have to re-educate yourself in their correct and proper usage?
>
>
> "Lois G." <legalois10pounds@erols.com> wrote ...
> > Strictly a rhetorical question, I guess....
> >
> > Maybe I'm in the minority, but I can't help but feel that things should
> > have gotten easier with the evolvement of computers, rather than the
other
> > way around.
> >
> > I'm not new to computers, just new to XP. I mistakenly thought I'd be
able
> > to hook up and go, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Here we have a
> > whole host of newsgroups dealing with every specific issue, and web
sites
> > devoted to fixes, tweaks, upgrades, etc.
> >
> > We have to re-educate ourselves, ask questions and read volumes just to
be
> > able to perform 'simpl' tasks on our computers.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Yeah! Right!

And I remember when my Grandfather broke off the ignition key in his Rambler
because he didn't read that the car had a PUSH BUTTON transmission and you
had to push one of the buttons to start the engine!

You have to learn and re-educate yourself to the technology!

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)

If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!


"ggull" <ggullSPAM@NOTrcn.com> wrote in message
news:uXdcJf27EHA.2124@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> Ah, but that's the difference -- when a new gadget, say a satellite
> tracking
> system, is put in a fancy new car, the steering wheel still turns left and
> right the way it used to, you don't have to relearn how to open and close
> the door, etc. You generally have to only learn to use the ADDED
> capabilities .. even if you have remote entry, you can choose not to use
> it
> and use the key. The problem, as Lois G. points out, is that one has to
> relearn to drive from the very basics with each new updated operating
> system. All of sudden the gear shift has moved behind the driver's seat
> and
> it's a rotary dial instead of a stick, and you have to hold in the
> cigarette
> lighter before it works. The real problem is that this stuff is all
> designed by people whose very lives revolve around computers, and
> specifically Windows, using state of the art hardware, and unlike auto
> manufacturers no one seems to have checked in with ordinary drivers/users
> (as opposed to racing buffs or heads of corporate systems departments).
>
> There is also the problem that it takes education and expertise to do
> simple
> things simply and to stay out of trouble, although things are getting
> somewhat better -- e.g., computers ship with the system settings wide open
> to vulnarabilites, and to make them secure the user has to restrict
> browser
> and email settings (or get other software), install virus and firewall,
> etc.
> Rationally, the DEFAULT would be for secure systems, allowing the user to
> open them up for specific purposes as they gain an idea of what they're
> doing and (hopefully) the dangers involved.
>
> "Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@hotmail.com> wrote ..
>> When new gadgets, accessories and luxuries are added to an automobile do
> you
>> not have to re-educate yourself in their correct and proper usage?
>>
>>
>> "Lois G." <legalois10pounds@erols.com> wrote ...
>> > Strictly a rhetorical question, I guess....
>> >
>> > Maybe I'm in the minority, but I can't help but feel that things should
>> > have gotten easier with the evolvement of computers, rather than the
> other
>> > way around.
>> >
>> > I'm not new to computers, just new to XP. I mistakenly thought I'd be
> able
>> > to hook up and go, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Here we have a
>> > whole host of newsgroups dealing with every specific issue, and web
> sites
>> > devoted to fixes, tweaks, upgrades, etc.
>> >
>> > We have to re-educate ourselves, ask questions and read volumes just to
> be
>> > able to perform 'simpl' tasks on our computers.
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

"Lois G." <legalois10pounds@erols.com> wrote in message
newsQU1%23py7EHA.3856@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Strictly a rhetorical question, I guess....
>
> Maybe I'm in the minority, but I can't help but feel that things
> should have gotten easier with the evolvement of computers, rather
> than the other way around.

The mantra of a non-user. Computer are not to make your life easier.
They are to maintain or raise your level of frustration - just like
having kids.

> I'm not new to computers, just new to XP. I mistakenly thought I'd be
> able to hook up and go, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Here we
> have a whole host of newsgroups dealing with every specific issue, and
> web sites devoted to fixes, tweaks, upgrades, etc.
>
> We have to re-educate ourselves, ask questions and read volumes just
> to be able to perform 'simpl' tasks on our computers.


In reply to the topic of your post (rather than its content), you could
always pay someone to do all that tweaking for you if you could
adequately describe just exactly what you wanted in a computer and
operating system. It is a general-purpose computer, not a fixed-feature
dishwasher. Ignorance and laziness, especially when deliberate, always
have their cost.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

I get upset that there is no instruction manuel with a computer. Why can't
all of the programs that are running in the background be documented with
clear instructions of what can be removed?

How many programs are only available from the "RUN" command with no
documentation.

"Lois G." wrote:

> Strictly a rhetorical question, I guess....
>
> Maybe I'm in the minority, but I can't help but feel that things should have
> gotten easier with the evolvement of computers, rather than the other way
> around.
>
> I'm not new to computers, just new to XP. I mistakenly thought I'd be able
> to hook up and go, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Here we have a
> whole host of newsgroups dealing with every specific issue, and web sites
> devoted to fixes, tweaks, upgrades, etc.
>
> We have to re-educate ourselves, ask questions and read volumes just to be
> able to perform 'simpl' tasks on our computers.
>
> Lois
>
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Lois;
There are choices.
If you did not find them you did not ask first.
Windows is an OS a great many can choose:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/pro [...] 37%3A96356
There are also other options if you look or ask.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"Lois G." <legalois10pounds@erols.com> wrote in message
news:%23OCNTl57EHA.3076@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> I have to differ with you here, unless I'm wrong, but when shopping for a
> new computer, I didn't see any choices in operating systems (unless I
> wanted a MAC) other than XP Home or XP Professional.
>
> Lois

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Full documentation in print would take far more space than your entire
computer system...even if your tower and monitor were large.
That would add quite a bit of cost to the computer when in the past most
never touched the books since the pile was intimidating..

Or would you rather have all the information online?
Start/Help and Support...most of it is there.
Open almost any program and click Help on the top toolbar...most of what you
need to know about the specific program is there.
Something still missing?
Try Google, newsgroups or any of an almost unlimited sources.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"Mickey" <Mickey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C33E6670-E640-496B-834C-CAB73757E22B@microsoft.com...
>I get upset that there is no instruction manuel with a computer. Why can't
> all of the programs that are running in the background be documented with
> clear instructions of what can be removed?
>
> How many programs are only available from the "RUN" command with no
> documentation.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

And, your old 1989 vehicle cannot spell check or give you proper grammar
information!
|
| Thats why I still Have an OLD 1989 Vehicle.. Those NEW gadgets are
| un-necessary.. just more money for the manufactures.. no sence of
| BUYING something That HAS GADGETS that you DONNOT need
|
| >

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Tom Pepper Willett wrote:

> And, your old 1989 vehicle cannot spell check or give you proper grammar
> information!


I think I do pretty good for a ONE-Handed Person!!

> |
> | Thats why I still Have an OLD 1989 Vehicle.. Those NEW gadgets are
> | un-necessary.. just more money for the manufactures.. no sence of
> | BUYING something That HAS GADGETS that you DONNOT need
> |
> | >
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

"Lois G." <legalois10pounds@erols.com> wrote in message
news:%23OCNTl57EHA.3076@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>
> I have to differ with you here, unless I'm wrong, but when shopping
> for a new computer, I didn't see any choices in operating systems
> (unless I wanted a MAC) other than XP Home or XP Professional.
>
> Lois
>


Well, what operating system did you expect to find at a retail store?
The largest selling one or one they couldn't make a dime on? You often
see what you expect to see. Since you were out shopping for Windows
platforms than that is what you saw because you limited where you went
to go see.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

What I am asking for is just a list of available programs and what they do.
If you don't even know that a program exists how can you ask for info. For
example how would I know that REGEDIT and MSCONFIG exist if I had not seen it
mentioned in many newsgroups. There are instructions but you must search for
them to find them.

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:

> Full documentation in print would take far more space than your entire
> computer system...even if your tower and monitor were large.
> That would add quite a bit of cost to the computer when in the past most
> never touched the books since the pile was intimidating..
>
> Or would you rather have all the information online?
> Start/Help and Support...most of it is there.
> Open almost any program and click Help on the top toolbar...most of what you
> need to know about the specific program is there.
> Something still missing?
> Try Google, newsgroups or any of an almost unlimited sources.
>
> --
> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
>
>
> "Mickey" <Mickey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C33E6670-E640-496B-834C-CAB73757E22B@microsoft.com...
> >I get upset that there is no instruction manuel with a computer. Why can't
> > all of the programs that are running in the background be documented with
> > clear instructions of what can be removed?
> >
> >