How do you answer this question?

[SmiZ]

A lady that works out on our shop floor just came into my office and said this almost word for word:


Her: "What book should I read so I can learn about computers? I heard there is some windows thing that lets you do stuff."

Me: "Well what do you want to do with your computer?"

Her: "Computer stuff."

Me: "Ok, let me look around and I'll give you some suggestions."

Is there any line of books on a lower intellectual level than the "for dummies" series?

 

[Czar]

I was going to suggest computers for dummies but you ruled that one out

 

[vi edit]

I think I've seen some "Computers for Idiots" books out there.

I'm not joking. I think that they are bright orange in color.

 

[TheVrolok]

Yeah, I've seen the "for idiots" books too. Maybe some periodicals to start with? Those usually have some serious newbie articles in them.

 

[SmiZ]

On a side note, how derogatory is it to buy a "for idiots" book. Especially when I go tell the lady, "The book you should read is called computers for idiots."

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Try getting a really high level book to discourage her from causing too much damage

 

[BigSmooth]

I think it's actually "The Idiot's Guide to..."

Tell her you've found just the book for her and then give her a Barbie Coloring Book or something. She'll be so fascinated, she'll forget all about those big mean computers.

 

[Tauren]

I think there is a coloring book about computers out there somewhere.j/k

 

[LadyNiniane]

Sounds like she needs a bit more hand-holding for her beginning venture into computers.

Do you have access to local adult learning classes through a community college or your school district? Advise her to sign up for a class or two; good possibilities would be something along the lines of "Introduction to Computers" or "Introduction to the Internet".

If you have a senior center, also check for classes there; even if she's not a senior, she may still be able to sign up. Those classes are usually designed for people whose book-learning experiences are/were minimal, and they tend to involve more one-on-one help.

She should check two things before she signs up for such a class:

a) Unless she has access to Mac computers already, make certain the class is designed to introduce Wintel systems. This is not to be construed as Apple or Linux bashing, just an acknowledgement that most beginners will start with Windows and a PC because that's what the local hi-tech store offers on sale each week. Additional checks would be machines using Pentium-class chips and Windows 95/98/ME; again start her off with something that looks more like what the fancy displays show over at BB.

b) Does the class actually offer "hands-on" practice, or is it just a 1-2 hour discussion group? If she's below the comfort level of the "Dummy" books, a lecture course isn't gonna cut it; she needs the keyboard/mouse/person-standing-behind-her experience first.

Lady Niniane

 

[gittyup]

Talk about being out of touch with society....

 

[geno]

I think it's best for people like this to not even get into computers. It's for the best, for both them and us

 

[Harrald]

Sell her an A+ certification book. That'll scare her away and save the world from another AOLer.

 

[MC]

give her a book about Unix! :Q

 

[DannyLove]

SmiZ ROTFLMAO! man, i seriouslly didnt need that laughter right now, the office was quiet, and i think some heard me laughing and starting at my computer (they must think im insane)

nice comment though, i got a nice laugh there,

screw it im giving you a 10 for that.