teaching my mom computer

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Dacalo

Diamond Member
Mar 31, 2000
8,778
3
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Just keep helping her. About two years ago, my mother had never touched a computer in her life. Now, she can type in Korean and English with no problems (the keyboard doesn't even have Korean layout). She browses the web, writes emails, checks her finances, plays games, and watches TV shows.

She was 64 when she started to learn.
 

Ameesh

Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
23,686
1
0
i taught my mom to use the mouse by showing her spider solitare, she loves that game and plays it every night now.
 

SmoochyTX

Lifer
Apr 19, 2003
13,615
0
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Originally posted by: noagname
ok i will try to find something she likes but she want to know the over all idea of using a computer
Turn on the power button, wait for Windows to start, open browser, then surf. Show her how to use Favorites/Bookmarks so that she can find her favorite places to go to again. I'm assuming it's a Windows box so you should set her up her own account/pw so that she can't do too much damage while she's learning. You could also get her one of those Computers for Dummies books.

I can't imagine she needs to know how to upgrade video cards, add RAM, replace a hard drive, or to set refresh settings on the monitor.

Baby steps. If you try to throw too much at her at one time, she'll get frustrated and give up. It took my dad wanting to learn how to play a drag racing game he read about in a racing magazine before he wanted to get on the computer.
 

FP

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
4,568
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Originally posted by: noagname
Originally posted by: bctbct
Originally posted by: noagname
pics of what

it is sad because
She has never touched a mouse or a keyboard in her life.


are you new here?

pics of your mom :)

What if we ask nicely?
i am not that new
and i will not be giving pics of her

 

TuxDave

Lifer
Oct 8, 2002
10,571
3
71
My mom used to be like you and my first step was creating a bookmark for her to a news website. Then after that is teaching her how to use email. She's pretty good at both now and I figure my job is pretty much done unless she wants to do something else.
 

noagname

Senior member
Jan 4, 2006
295
0
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Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: akshatp
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: noagname
pics of what

it is sad because
She has never touched a mouse or a keyboard in her life.

So what? she has never touched a mouse or keyboard. has she had a reason to?

thats not sad. at least she is trying to learn something new. I t hink thats great.

to call her sad is well..sad.



I dont think he called his mom sad.. I think he was referring to the situation.

either way its not nice and disrespectful.


ok so that was mean

and YOyoYOhowsDAjello i am not waiting for ankit he does not want to help


so it seems that playing games is the best way and giving her own account and letting her surf the web

thanks

 

Tiamat

Lifer
Nov 25, 2003
14,068
5
71
just be thankful it isnt win98se that i taught my mom on.

"On my God, it said that I performed an illegal operation! Are the cops going to come knocking on my door? I swear I didnt try to do anything illegal!"

Now 3 years later, she shops on the internet and scans important documents and emails them to me (some of my bank stuff still gets sent home while i am at Grad School).

Just stick with it, and determine what kind of learner she is right off the bat. My mom likes to make post it notes of important things for instance.

My mom taught me to clean my ass, blow my nose, tie my shoes, speak/write english the least I could do was teach her how to use a computer.
 

Apathetic

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 2002
2,587
6
81
I was in the same situation a little while ago. I installed a couple of games with simple user interfaces (like Mahjong) and had her play around with those. She had a lot of fun and is now very comfortable using a mouse. She also likes some of the card games that come standard with Windows.

Dave
 

WW

Golden Member
Jun 21, 2001
1,514
0
0
Get a yahoo account for her, and install yahoo messenger for her, and buy a webcam. She'll be able to video chat back to India for free....tell her how much money she is saving, etc.

Have your relatives send her email also. I know many Aunties who are now computer savvy because of the communication possibilities.

 

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
11
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Originally posted by: 50cent1228
Originally posted by: sm8000
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing

i know some people who used that its worked pretty good for them

My dad bought it for himself years ago. One of these days he'll get around to opening the box.
 

compnovice

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2005
3,192
0
0
Start with simple games like solitaire for mouse control....
Email is always fun for someone new to computers...