Wish me luck... =\

[zippy]

My mom is entering the 21st century.

I got a router (SMC Barricade 4 port btw ) and set her up with my old computer and I just showed her how to turn on the computer, get into internet explorer, go to hotmail, read mail, write and send mail, and a few basic maneuvers on the computer (scrolling, tab to go to the next box or button, etc.).

She's going to call me when she is ready to send her email...her second in less than 20 minutes- I sent and showed her how to send the first. She wants to send this one on her own but have me be there in case she screws up. She's so cute about it, but man...this is going to be painful.

Oh well, she does so much for me, I guess this is the least I can do for her.

I think she is going to pick it up quick though- so that's good! Heh, maybe soon she'll want to upgrade her computer (p166mmx, 1.5GB hard drive, SB16, 64MB EDO-RAM, 2MB Diamond Stealth 2500, 24x CD-ROM) so we can play UT against each other! Or maybe not...actually, I don't even play UT, so it would really scare me if my mom wanted to play any video game!

Anyone else have to teach their 'rents how to use the computer? Any tips? Thanks!

 

[Delusion2001]

haha. get one of those "for dummies" books. but just hope she doesn't take it as an insult

 

[Siva]

OMG no! You poor bastard. Every five minutes for the first month or two my mom really started using the computer she called to me and needed help. Now its more like every 30 mins, stuff like how do I save a file, how do I copy, etc... Its a pain!

 

[zippy]

She's still not done with her 2nd email...WOOHOO!

Yeah...I just can't wait till we move into the wonderful world of search engines...and MS Word. BLECH!

It's not a total loss...now she doesn't bug me to set her up on my computer so she can email a few people. Also, I got a sweet router out of it. This way when my friend comes over (with his sweet 1GHz Tbird, 256MB PC133, AIW Radeon, etc. machine) we can play UT...he plays and I play when he plays (at his house...he likes the game so we take turns playing).

 

[bacillus]

I don't envy your predicament!

 

[cyclistca]

Want to talk to my dad . When I got DSL I gave dad my old 56k modem. He refuses to set it up. I figured he would really be into the net since he likes to fiddle with his computer all day. But no. Oh well.

Guess it should not really surprise me. I got him Windows 95 (Had 3.1) one year and it took him two years to get it installed.

 

[purplehayes]

Hang in there. She was smart enough to raise you, she's smart enough to learn how to surf the internet.

I set up my parents, too, except they live in a different state, so everything is phone support. Mom really got in there and messed with setting she shouldn't when she first got it. Now that I've taught her not to mess with things she has no business messing with, she's doing really well.

I just bought her a USB scanner, too, and she hasn't bugged me too much for help. Of course I haven't gotten any scans from her yet either.

Just remember, she was patient enough to clean your little bottom and the dirty diapers that went with them, you need to be patient enough to show her a few things.

PH

 

[AncientPC]

It's a hassle. My parents still call me while I'm at college with computer problems. However, I found the best solution was to kinda make your own guide for your parents printing out pictures and labeling them to show what does what.

Are my parents the only ones that take notes when I tell them how to use a comp?

 

[zippy]

My mom had a clipboard and took notes as I showed her what to do for today's lesson.