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> If someone who does online banking can't handle the most basic concepts of computer hygiene to the point of turning off an adblocker and knowing when it's saf

> If someone who does online banking can't handle the most basic concepts of computer hygiene to the point of turning off an adblocker and knowing when it's safe to do so-- they probably should stick to brick and mortar banking. I do not at all agree that we should banish people unable to navigate adblocking from the Internet altogether. They are not 'lesser' people. They do not deserve to be denied access. They simply need more help than you and I. I definitely agree that we should tax all Internet businesses to pay for the libraries, library computers, and librarians that help one-third of American citizens operate the Internet safely.

crispyambulance 8y ago
There’s a huge span of skill between, say, the typical HN contributor and a dementia-addled 80-year-old. But some of you are talking like that’s the only two skill levels of users in the world. Most adults are able to understand the basics of computer hygiene. It is not that hard to explain the what an adblocker does and how to use it to most people. The sad thing is browser makers aren’t willing to help out the people who really need it because doing so would impact clickbait revenue. Instead, that task is left to us. It’s not an ideal situation but have you seen what happens to PC’s in the hands of folks that don’t have a concept of computer hygiene?
- floatingatoll 8y ago
  Yes, I have seen malware-infected PCs in the past three decades of supporting non-technical people using computers.
danShumway 8y ago
It's not about anyone being "lesser" than anyone else. It's about not putting someone into a dangerous situation until they're prepared to enter those situations. My grandmother is an amazing, intelligent person. I would not give her a potentially dangerous device if I wasn't also willing to sit down and talk to her about how it worked. Heck, with really nontechnical people I print out illustrated instructions so they can file them next to the computer. That's what giving help means. Educate people about how their browser works. Teach them computer hygiene so they can use an adblocker. If you can't do that, then giving them a barebones browser with zero protections is not helping them. No one's talking about banishing people from the Internet. We're saying that if they can't handle the most basic concepts of computer hygiene, they are not ready to do online banking yet, and they should wait until someone helps them get ready or until someone installs some safeguards on their computer to keep them protected in the meantime -- even if those safeguards make their lives less convenient every once and a while. If someone can't work their turn signals, I don't think they should be banned from driving, but I do want to help them figure that part out before they start the car, and they should probably walk or be chauffeured in the meantime.

crispyambulance 8y ago

There’s a huge span of skill between, say, the typical HN contributor and a dementia-addled 80-year-old. But some of you are talking like that’s the only two skill levels of users in the world. Most adults are able to understand the basics of computer hygiene. It is not that hard to explain the what an adblocker does and how to use it to most people. The sad thing is browser makers aren’t willing to help out the people who really need it because doing so would impact clickbait revenue. Instead, that task is left to us. It’s not an ideal situation but have you seen what happens to PC’s in the hands of folks that don’t have a concept of computer hygiene?

floatingatoll 8y ago
Yes, I have seen malware-infected PCs in the past three decades of supporting non-technical people using computers.

danShumway 8y ago

It's not about anyone being "lesser" than anyone else. It's about not putting someone into a dangerous situation until they're prepared to enter those situations. My grandmother is an amazing, intelligent person. I would not give her a potentially dangerous device if I wasn't also willing to sit down and talk to her about how it worked. Heck, with really nontechnical people I print out illustrated instructions so they can file them next to the computer. That's what giving help means. Educate people about how their browser works. Teach them computer hygiene so they can use an adblocker. If you can't do that, then giving them a barebones browser with zero protections is not helping them. No one's talking about banishing people from the Internet. We're saying that if they can't handle the most basic concepts of computer hygiene, they are not ready to do online banking yet, and they should wait until someone helps them get ready or until someone installs some safeguards on their computer to keep them protected in the meantime -- even if those safeguards make their lives less convenient every once and a while. If someone can't work their turn signals, I don't think they should be banned from driving, but I do want to help them figure that part out before they start the car, and they should probably walk or be chauffeured in the meantime.