Does it ever boggle the mind

[Cogman]

My room mate was talking on the phone today to Who knows. Heres about how the conversation went

"Yeah I don't have a windows Veesta (vista) machine, it's an HP so its way different then veesta (Yes, he does have vista btw). It was $900 it was on display and I got it for a discount. (The computer is worth probably $400-500 IMO) *she responds about price being high I surmise*.

Oh no, its not bad because they said that every computer needs this security stuff on it so thats why its price is elevated."


Wow, I almost feel bad for him now because of how badly he was taken advantage of. He bought the display PC because it was supposed to be cheaper, the laptop is garbage, seriously worth only $400-500 brand new. And yet he paid a $400 premium for "security software" that all PCs MUST have.

I almost want to hunt down and shoot the sales rep that gave him this load of crap. Does computer misinformation just spew from Best buy and the like? IDK, it is just frustrating to me how misinformed someone can get.[/weak rant]

So share your misinformation stories!

 

[CptCrunch]

doesn't bother me a bit, thats why I have a job, and make a killing on my side business

 

[boomhower]

There is a reason the geek squad and the like exist. People are dumb and/or lazy enough to pay for it.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: boomhower
There is a reason the geek squad and the like exist. People are dumb and/or lazy enough to pay for it.

Makes you aware of the "magic box" phenomenon. anything that a person doesn't undrestand is a "magic" and must be tended to by a specialist. As a 'specialist' I can say we're all very lucky we have jobs because people don't want to spend the time figuring this stuff out.

 

[Dumac]

I always thought it was supposed to be pronounced "Veesta", because isn't it a Spanish word? I still say plain Vista though...

But yeah, some people are pretty clueless when it comes to computers. But I'm sure everyone is like that with different merchandise.

 

[Colt45]

I stick by the theory that if you don't know how something operates, and are not capable of operating it and basic maintenance, you shouldn't be able to do it.. computers, cars, etc.

There'd be a lot of ignorant people reading a book while taking the bus.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Dumac
I always thought it was supposed to be pronounced "Veesta", because isn't it a Spanish word? I still say plain Vista though...

But yeah, some people are pretty clueless when it comes to computers. But I'm sure everyone is like that with different merchandise.

Yup. I'm like that with cars. In my advanced machine design course, we keep getting hit with car and engine sample problems. I'm probably one of the few people in my major who isn't an engine expert. It was only sometime within the last year that I learned how an engine works.
I just never cared to work with cars. They're dirty, noisy, and the engine compartment is littered with sharp edges and points. Plus, the car is either outside or in a garage = no climate control. Hot as hell in summer, and in winter, numb fingers are nearly useless.

I try to keep that in mind when someone doesn't know how to copy and paste something.

Originally posted by: Colt45
I stick by the theory that if you don't know how something operates, and are not capable of operating it and basic maintenance, you shouldn't be able to do it.. computers, cars, etc.

There'd be a lot of ignorant people reading a book while taking the bus.

Show the doctor your medical degree next time you're there for an MRI.
I also expect an explanation of basic quantum mechanics if you've ever turned on a light.

 

[Deeko]

why does it "boggle the mind", there is literally nothing confusing or outrageous about that.

 

[TallBill]

No.

 

[Lummex]

This makes me remember the time when I was working in the computer lab at my old college. My job was to simply moniter the room and help with any computer problems. One day, I was helping this guy with something, I don't remember what, so I minimized the paper he was writing. His eyes started tearing up because he thought I had closed it without saving it and that it was gone forever. And he was so relieved when I showed him it was still there. It was incredibly difficult to hold in a giggle. The end.

 

[Ryan]

IT"S A SERIES OF TUBES!!!! TANGLED TUBESSS!!!

 

[WT]

Here's one for ya ! I was at work swapping out an old CRT for a new LCD for a secretary. I started to unplug the CRT but she got upset that I hadn't allowed her time to save her documents in case I erased something while swapping displays. It was then that I informed her that her beige tower (pointing to it) was where the data actually was stored, not on the TV (my words to her to help her understand) on her desk.
Next we have the user who was retiring, so I was also upgrading her PC for the new person. I unplugged it and picked it up and noticed it was making noises inside. It had a slot loader CD drive, not a tray unit, and when I opened the case I found 2 CDs that were inside !! She had tried to load them into the slot loader CD at some point, but missed and pushed them in the gap between the drive faceplates !!

Ohhh, there are many more stories that would make you bust a gut, but I can't even begin to recall them all.

 

[Colt45]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: Dumac
I always thought it was supposed to be pronounced "Veesta", because isn't it a Spanish word? I still say plain Vista though...

But yeah, some people are pretty clueless when it comes to computers. But I'm sure everyone is like that with different merchandise.

Yup. I'm like that with cars. In my advanced machine design course, we keep getting hit with car and engine sample problems. I'm probably one of the few people in my major who isn't an engine expert. It was only sometime within the last year that I learned how an engine works.
I just never cared to work with cars. They're dirty, noisy, and the engine compartment is littered with sharp edges and points. Plus, the car is either outside or in a garage = no climate control. Hot as hell in summer, and in winter, numb fingers are nearly useless.

I try to keep that in mind when someone doesn't know how to copy and paste something.

Originally posted by: Colt45
I stick by the theory that if you don't know how something operates, and are not capable of operating it and basic maintenance, you shouldn't be able to do it.. computers, cars, etc.

There'd be a lot of ignorant people reading a book while taking the bus.

Show the doctor your medical degree next time you're there for an MRI.
I also expect an explanation of basic quantum mechanics if you've ever turned on a light.

a basic understanding... i've got a basic medical understanding... i don't make penicillin in my garage, but i dont make motor oil either.

 

[SpunkyJones]

No.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
doesn't bother me a bit, thats why I have a job, and make a killing on my side business

This. People that aren't into computers really want them to be like a TV or radio. They don't have to know squat about those devices to use them for their intended purpose.

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
doesn't bother me a bit, thats why I have a job, and make a killing on my side business

This. People that aren't into computers really want them to be like a TV or radio. They don't have to know squat about those devices to use them for their intended purpose.

Im not a mechanic, yet I know what an engine is, the basics of how it works, and where the oil goes. And you can bet if I'm in the market for a new car the first thing I do is a ton of research on it.

I think a computer is the same. Especially for $900, thats a large chunk of change for most college kids. you'd think that some research would be in order before investing.

Another story from this guy.

So, for whatever reason, a single power outlet in my room, and all the power sockets in the kitchen are on the same circuit (Fire hazard waiting to happen). One day, someone decides to vacuum while cooking waffles, running the dish washer, boiling water, and I'm on my computer. So surprise, surprise, the circuit breaker trips. So I go out to flip it back over (its the kind where a little orange strip is visible when it trips). This roommate somehow knew thats what you should do. So he wanders over to the box as well and gets there first.

While I am standing there waiting for him to do something (because I didn't just want to reach over him) He looks at the circuit breaker in confusion, and then starts at the top of the box, and flips that off, then the next, then the next. I said to him "What are you doing?" he responds "Oh, the power is out" (Yeah, I had kind of noticed that...) so I point out to him the fluorescent orange strip thats next to only one of the switches and say "Flip that one, don't flip all of them".

Well he gave me a look like "Your an Idiot, but just to patronize you Ill flip that one." and like magic, the kitchen lights flashed back on.

 

[daniel49]

yeah kinda funny sometimes.

 

[Arcadio]

I feel bad for people who spend money on things they don't need:

-I've seen many people who buy a wireless adapter for their laptop, when the truth is that their laptop already includes a wireless adapter.
-I've seen people buying mp3 players for $300 thinking they are legitimate iPods, when the truth is that they are not really iPods, or they are older iPods worth nothing.
-I've seen people pay the cable company an extra fee every month for providing internet sevice to 2 or 3 computers, when the truth is that they just need a router and that's it.
-I even know of someone who bought an LCD TV thinking that the "transition to digital TV" meant that she must buy a flat-screen TV. A lot of other people ask me the same question: "Is it true that these old TV's (CRT) won't work in 2009?"

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: Cogman

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
doesn't bother me a bit, thats why I have a job, and make a killing on my side business

This. People that aren't into computers really want them to be like a TV or radio. They don't have to know squat about those devices to use them for their intended purpose.

Im not a mechanic, yet I know what an engine is, the basics of how it works, and where the oil goes. And you can bet if I'm in the market for a new car the first thing I do is a ton of research on it.

I think a computer is the same. Especially for $900, thats a large chunk of change for most college kids. you'd think that some research would be in order before investing.

Another story from this guy.

So, for whatever reason, a single power outlet in my room, and all the power sockets in the kitchen are on the same circuit (Fire hazard waiting to happen). One day, someone decides to vacuum while cooking waffles, running the dish washer, boiling water, and I'm on my computer. So surprise, surprise, the circuit breaker trips. So I go out to flip it back over (its the kind where a little orange strip is visible when it trips). This roommate somehow knew thats what you should do. So he wanders over to the box as well and gets there first.

While I am standing there waiting for him to do something (because I didn't just want to reach over him) He looks at the circuit breaker in confusion, and then starts at the top of the box, and flips that off, then the next, then the next. I said to him "What are you doing?" he responds "Oh, the power is out" (Yeah, I had kind of noticed that...) so I point out to him the fluorescent orange strip thats next to only one of the switches and say "Flip that one, don't flip all of them".

Well he gave me a look like "Your an Idiot, but just to patronize you Ill flip that one." and like magic, the kitchen lights flashed back on.

IT'S YOU'RE!

 

[ViviTheMage]

Why do you think B&M stores like best buy, and circuity city still exist?

at least with dell you get average priced PCs in comparasion...and are not being hassled, unless you call into a salesman.

 

[ConstipatedVigilante]

Once the younger generation grows up (I mean toddlers now), computer techs will be out of a job. My generation (I'm 18) is pretty digitally integrated, but there are still many who have no idea that a Mac is a PC, or what's in a computer. Although maybe the next generation will be so pampered by touchscreens and pretty displays that they won't know what a command prompt is.

Edit:

I stick by the theory that if you don't know how something operates, and are not capable of operating it and basic maintenance, you shouldn't be able to do it.. computers, cars, etc.

There'd be a lot of ignorant people reading a book while taking the bus.

Oh yes, it shocks me how many people don't have even a basic understanding of how an engine works (and I only have a very basic understanding). One girl I was talking to didn't know - I explained that a bunch of tiny explosions in the engine make the car move. She responded, "So it's like a bomb?!" :facepalm;

 

[sindows]

You would be surprised at how little the general public knows about anything...

 

[BoomerD]

MOST people want to turn the computer on and have it work...just like their television. For them, it's just another appliance.

Why SHOULD they have to know HOW it works? All I know about my dishwasher is that I put dirty dishes and soap in, push a couple of buttons, and clean dishes come out...Sure, I've installed a couple of them and even repaired one or two over the years, but basically, I know nothing about the actual inner workings of said dishwasher.
My dammed clothes washer has printed circuit boards and computer chips in it...and I know zip about any of that...I put dirty clothes and soap products in, push the buttons, and I get clean (and wet) clothes out...Damn...now I gotta learn about clothes dryer technology? sumbitch!
HEY! You kids...GET OFF MY LAWN!

 

[IceBergSLiM]

big deal I can't change the oil in my car

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
MOST people want to turn the computer on and have it work...just like their television. For them, it's just another appliance.

Why SHOULD they have to know HOW it works? All I know about my dishwasher is that I put dirty dishes and soap in, push a couple of buttons, and clean dishes come out...Sure, I've installed a couple of them and even repaired one or two over the years, but basically, I know nothing about the actual inner workings of said dishwasher.
My dammed clothes washer has printed circuit boards and computer chips in it...and I know zip about any of that...I put dirty clothes and soap products in, push the buttons, and I get clean (and wet) clothes out...Damn...now I gotta learn about clothes dryer technology? sumbitch!
HEY! You kids...GET OFF MY LAWN!

Most computer savvy people know just as much about the computer circuit board as you know about your dishwasher circuit board. Not much. And thats not what I'm advocating.

No, The general public treats their computers differently then their dishwasher. They EXPECT computer to just know what they want to do, and do it for them. if it doesn't work the way they want it to they start cursing at it and talk about how ridiculously stupid it is. Yet, they wouldn't say the same thing if they put a popcorn bag in a microwave for 8 hours and come back to a charred spot where the bag used to be, they would realize that is their fault.

On the same level, a person will read a consumer report and research pretty heavily in their next car purchase and then ignore everything the sales person says to them to go for the car they want (well, some people do). And yet the same person will walk into a computer shop and buy the first thing the sales rep tells them is uber good without a second thought of "Hey, I'm spending over $1000 here, maybe I should look into what I am spending it on".

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer
IT'S YOU'RE!

Your going to just have to live with the fact that their are some people that make one or to grammar mistakes hear and they're. Sorry it bother you so much.