I guess, indirectly, one of the reasons that I am good with computers has something to do with the fact that I loathe them so much. I hold all computers in contempt and I think that all programmers should be put to death. I have made it my life's study to know the enemy.
I cannot name any other manufactured item that most people are expected to use that is as horribly complex and arcane as a computer. Yet, it's almost a requirement these days to be able to use email and a web browser. If that were all it really took, I wouldn't have such a problem. But email and web browsers are just the tip of the computer iceberg. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, things seem to accrete. Web browsers and email require knowledge of modems and modem software; modems require knowledge of hardware configurations; hardware configurations require knowledge of maintenance and troubleshooting software; troubleshooting software requires knowledge of common computer problems; common computer problems are best researched on the world wide web; you need a web browser to view the world wide web; start at the beginning and repeat as necessary.
I cannot name any other manufactured item that most people are expected to use that is as horribly complex and arcane as a computer. Yet, it's almost a requirement these days to be able to use email and a web browser. If that were all it really took, I wouldn't have such a problem. But email and web browsers are just the tip of the computer iceberg. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, things seem to accrete. Web browsers and email require knowledge of modems and modem software; modems require knowledge of hardware configurations; hardware configurations require knowledge of maintenance and troubleshooting software; troubleshooting software requires knowledge of common computer problems; common computer problems are best researched on the world wide web; you need a web browser to view the world wide web; start at the beginning and repeat as necessary.
