4 ms·

Many years ago I used to despair every time I used my dad's windows machine. Every time, his browser window was filled with loads of toolbars installed by vari

Many years ago I used to despair every time I used my dad's windows machine. Every time, his browser window was filled with loads of toolbars installed by various sites and utilities, leaving him with a tiny usable content area. I kept explaining why this happened and he never changed his behaviour. I got him to buy a Mac and for a few years things went well. But then he started complaining about it behaving weirdly or running slowly. I'd take a look and find he'd installed some free utility or some other odd bit of software that was screwing up his machine. I kept explaining why this happened and he never changed his behaviour. I keep telling him to get an iPad, as at least then everything would be sandboxed and iOS would kill background tasks. But he says, no, he needs a real computer.

Terretta 3y ago
This is the end user reality HN generally fails to empathize with. Users need computing consoles or appliances. PS. Now that you can dock an iPad with an external screen and keyboard and trackpad, try that for him, tell him it's the new Macpad Pro.
- havaloc 3y ago
  I would encourage the HN audience to do tech support (outside of family) for a few friends/customers and charge for it. You learn a LOT.
  - matheusmoreira 3y ago
    You should charge a lot. As much as a doctor. Because that's what you are, really.
    - havaloc 3y ago
      The metaphor totally works because half your customers end up ignoring your advice anyway.
    - amelius 3y ago
      Still medical staff looks down on the IT crowd.
- Terretta 3y ago
  > by Terretta 6 hours ago: Now that you can dock an iPad with an external screen and keyboard and trackpad, try that for him, tell him it's the new Macpad Pro. ROTFL, someone made this and posted to HN four hours ago: https://www.macstories.net/stories/macpad-how-i-created-the-hybrid-mac-ipad-laptop-and-tablet-that-apple-wont-make/ https://www.macstories.net/stories/macpad-how-i-created-the-... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39592288 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39592288
matheusmoreira 3y ago
> he never changed his behaviour That's the real problem. People just refuse to learn. They refuse to put in any effort at all. They don't want to have to think about what they are doing. It's making me become ever more elitist over the years. I no longer believe computers should be for everyone. Computers are world changing technology and they are wasted on people who don't give a shit.
beeboobaa 3y ago
And you feel like it is your responsibility to take control of his life, because you know better? For his own good? This is called fascism. If this is how he wants to live, it is his right as a free adult. Even if it annoys you.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
r00fus 3y ago
Any chance you could lock down his account (gatekeeper) and keep your own admin user? It's too bad there's no easy way to simply "grant access" to installs remotely (if you're the admin).

Terretta 3y ago

This is the end user reality HN generally fails to empathize with. Users need computing consoles or appliances. PS. Now that you can dock an iPad with an external screen and keyboard and trackpad, try that for him, tell him it's the new Macpad Pro.

havaloc 3y ago
I would encourage the HN audience to do tech support (outside of family) for a few friends/customers and charge for it. You learn a LOT.
- matheusmoreira 3y ago
  You should charge a lot. As much as a doctor. Because that's what you are, really.
  - havaloc 3y ago
    The metaphor totally works because half your customers end up ignoring your advice anyway.
  - amelius 3y ago
    Still medical staff looks down on the IT crowd.
Terretta 3y ago
> by Terretta 6 hours ago: Now that you can dock an iPad with an external screen and keyboard and trackpad, try that for him, tell him it's the new Macpad Pro. ROTFL, someone made this and posted to HN four hours ago: https://www.macstories.net/stories/macpad-how-i-created-the-hybrid-mac-ipad-laptop-and-tablet-that-apple-wont-make/ https://www.macstories.net/stories/macpad-how-i-created-the-... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39592288 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39592288

matheusmoreira 3y ago

> he never changed his behaviour That's the real problem. People just refuse to learn. They refuse to put in any effort at all. They don't want to have to think about what they are doing. It's making me become ever more elitist over the years. I no longer believe computers should be for everyone. Computers are world changing technology and they are wasted on people who don't give a shit.

beeboobaa 3y ago

And you feel like it is your responsibility to take control of his life, because you know better? For his own good? This is called fascism. If this is how he wants to live, it is his right as a free adult. Even if it annoys you.

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]

r00fus 3y ago

Any chance you could lock down his account (gatekeeper) and keep your own admin user? It's too bad there's no easy way to simply "grant access" to installs remotely (if you're the admin).