Computer users, much like computers themselves, come in every shape, size, and color. Today’s users are young and they are old. Today’s users may own one computer, or they may own many. Some only use them at work, while others use them everywhere—their car, their home, at work, and even at play. And, although computer users are as diverse as Microsoft and Mac, in my opinion they can be categorized into four distinct groups.
The first type of user is the novice. Because of the extensive use of computers today, there are actually not many novices out there. They are—no disrespect intended-- comprised mostly of the elderly. Our grandmothers and grandfathers who own an extensive array of every peripheral device invented (scanners, speakers, cameras, etc.) but only know how to play solitaire. The novice group can also include youth ages five to seven. Those users who constantly implore the assistance of their parents to start up the computer, log on , locate the web site that promises fame or fortune (usually from the back of a box of cereal), only to last for ten minutes—or until the next shiny metal object catches their eye.
Next are the amateurs. Don’t let the title fool you, however. Teens are often considered amateurs. An amateur because they only utilize a few programs, but their knowledge of those few programs is extensive. This category of users couldn’t possibly tell you when their next algebra exam is, but they can recite hundreds of You Tube links backwards and forwards. They can’t remember to put the cap back on the milk or to feed the dog, but they can remember at least 50 pirate movie sites and their “user id” for countless internet accounts.
Moving up the “computer food chain” we meet the experts. Experts include people who get paid to actually use the computer and to help others use theirs. Computer programmers are experts. Those foreigners who answer the help line when you purchase a computer are experts. Experts are extremely knowledgeable about computers. They know how they work and why they work.
The final category of computer users is what I have affectionately termed “freaks and geeks.” Freaks and geeks can take a computer apart and put it back together blindfolded. They are familiar with every chip, every circuit, every minute wire and eagerly await the next QWERTY keyboard convention. Their hands get sweaty and their heart palpitates wildly at words like verichip, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. They are normally pale-skinned, with a significant portion of their coloring emanating from a 17-inch monitor that flows incessantly day and night. Freaks and geeks are proud of their title and wear their pocket protectors with pride. They can’t be bothered with experts, let alone amateurs and novices. Their diet consists of anything that takes less time than uploading the latest version of whatever game is newest on the market. Many view them as sad, lonely individuals, but, in all honesty, they are not. They are perfectly content to befriend their Gateway and have found that the most meaningful relationship is formed with processors, not people.
As time marches on and humans become amateurs, amateurs will become experts and experts will become the next freaks and geeks. Where this will leave freaks and geeks is hard to say. Perhaps they’ll just continue to grow old until they reach that big recycle bin in the sky. :)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Trust me, I'm a Novice
Computer users, much like computers themselves, come in every shape, size, and color. Today’s users are young and they are old. Today’s users may own one computer, or they may own many. Some only use them at work, while others use them everywhere—their car, their home, at work, and even at play. And, although computer users are as diverse as Microsoft and Mac, in my opinion they can be categorized into four distinct groups.
The first type of user is the novice. Because of the extensive use of computers today, there are actually not many novices out there. They are—no disrespect intended-- comprised mostly of the elderly. Our grandmothers and grandfathers who own an extensive array of every peripheral device invented (scanners, speakers, cameras, etc.) but only know how to play solitaire. The novice group can also include youth ages five to seven. Those users who constantly implore the assistance of their parents to start up the computer, log on , locate the web site that promises fame or fortune (usually from the back of a box of cereal), only to last for ten minutes—or until the next shiny metal object catches their eye.
Next are the amateurs. Don’t let the title fool you, however. Teens are often considered amateurs. An amateur because they only utilize a few programs, but their knowledge of those few programs is extensive. This category of users couldn’t possibly tell you when their next algebra exam is, but they can recite hundreds of You Tube links backwards and forwards. They can’t remember to put the cap back on the milk or to feed the dog, but they can remember at least 50 pirate movie sites and their “user id” for countless internet accounts.
Moving up the “computer food chain” we meet the experts. Experts include people who get paid to actually use the computer and to help others use theirs. Computer programmers are experts. Those foreigners who answer the help line when you purchase a computer are experts. Experts are extremely knowledgeable about computers. They know how they work and why they work.
The final category of computer users is what I have affectionately termed “freaks and geeks.” Freaks and geeks can take a computer apart and put it back together blindfolded. They are familiar with every chip, every circuit, every minute wire and eagerly await the next QWERTY keyboard convention. Their hands get sweaty and their heart palpitates wildly at words like verichip, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. They are normally pale-skinned, with a significant portion of their coloring emanating from a 17-inch monitor that flows incessantly day and night. Freaks and geeks are proud of their title and wear their pocket protectors with pride. They can’t be bothered with experts, let alone amateurs and novices. Their diet consists of anything that takes less time than uploading the latest version of whatever game is newest on the market. Many view them as sad, lonely individuals, but, in all honesty, they are not. They are perfectly content to befriend their Gateway and have found that the most meaningful relationship is formed with processors, not people.
As time marches on and humans become amateurs, amateurs will become experts and experts will become the next freaks and geeks. Where this will leave freaks and geeks is hard to say. Perhaps they’ll just continue to grow old until they reach that big recycle bin in the sky. :)
The first type of user is the novice. Because of the extensive use of computers today, there are actually not many novices out there. They are—no disrespect intended-- comprised mostly of the elderly. Our grandmothers and grandfathers who own an extensive array of every peripheral device invented (scanners, speakers, cameras, etc.) but only know how to play solitaire. The novice group can also include youth ages five to seven. Those users who constantly implore the assistance of their parents to start up the computer, log on , locate the web site that promises fame or fortune (usually from the back of a box of cereal), only to last for ten minutes—or until the next shiny metal object catches their eye.
Next are the amateurs. Don’t let the title fool you, however. Teens are often considered amateurs. An amateur because they only utilize a few programs, but their knowledge of those few programs is extensive. This category of users couldn’t possibly tell you when their next algebra exam is, but they can recite hundreds of You Tube links backwards and forwards. They can’t remember to put the cap back on the milk or to feed the dog, but they can remember at least 50 pirate movie sites and their “user id” for countless internet accounts.
Moving up the “computer food chain” we meet the experts. Experts include people who get paid to actually use the computer and to help others use theirs. Computer programmers are experts. Those foreigners who answer the help line when you purchase a computer are experts. Experts are extremely knowledgeable about computers. They know how they work and why they work.
The final category of computer users is what I have affectionately termed “freaks and geeks.” Freaks and geeks can take a computer apart and put it back together blindfolded. They are familiar with every chip, every circuit, every minute wire and eagerly await the next QWERTY keyboard convention. Their hands get sweaty and their heart palpitates wildly at words like verichip, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. They are normally pale-skinned, with a significant portion of their coloring emanating from a 17-inch monitor that flows incessantly day and night. Freaks and geeks are proud of their title and wear their pocket protectors with pride. They can’t be bothered with experts, let alone amateurs and novices. Their diet consists of anything that takes less time than uploading the latest version of whatever game is newest on the market. Many view them as sad, lonely individuals, but, in all honesty, they are not. They are perfectly content to befriend their Gateway and have found that the most meaningful relationship is formed with processors, not people.
As time marches on and humans become amateurs, amateurs will become experts and experts will become the next freaks and geeks. Where this will leave freaks and geeks is hard to say. Perhaps they’ll just continue to grow old until they reach that big recycle bin in the sky. :)
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