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The problem i see too often is that users use verbiage like "I know/don't know Excel...", or "I know/don't know Word...", etc. However, many users that i see wo

The problem i see too often is that users use verbiage like "I know/don't know Excel...", or "I know/don't know Word...", etc. However, many users that i see would be equally as lost in front of say, Google docs, or LiobreOffice Writer or Calc....i think we should go back to decades ago when people would use more general terms like "document" or spreadsheet"...but of course, that's likely not possible because microsoft has been quite successful at selling theki brand and associated brand names...and as much as i support efforts like what is happening in Germany and other areas of the world, the challenge is not only one of tech compatibility or training, but very especially around branding and mind-share. I say that sadly, because i want open source options to exist as equally *VISIBLE* choices in the marketplace.

zwnow 3y ago
I feel that. I work in tech since only 4 years now, but I see a more general problem. People need to be taught in a more software agnostic way. Like, how to properly use a search engine to research a software related issue instead of going into panic mode and call IT. Once people are able to research software specific issues, switching products won't be as much of a problem
- mxuribe 3y ago
  > "People need to be taught in a more software agnostic way...switching products won't be as much of a problem" Yep, I agree 100% right there!!! Not only does it help to ease support of those people, but they actually learn things better that way and gain much more independence! The weird thing is that some portion of the people who do not know how to be independent in basic computing are fiercely independent in other areas of their lives...which often speaks to lack of enough computing literacy some among populations...and while it might statistically be with older people, that is not always the case! I've seen some older folks be able to learn some computing basics FASTEr than some supposed digital natives. Not always of course, but more than i ever expected.
- water-data-dude 3y ago
  It used to be that tech was one of those areas where you could search for things and actually find answers fast, but lately I’ve noticed that the search results have gotten a lot worse. The techie blogspam took a while to catch up with more mainstream topics, but at this point it’s almost as bogged down in useless crap. It’s still the best answer, but you might need to teach them how to recognize crap and THEN get them in the habit of doing web searches.

zwnow 3y ago

I feel that. I work in tech since only 4 years now, but I see a more general problem. People need to be taught in a more software agnostic way. Like, how to properly use a search engine to research a software related issue instead of going into panic mode and call IT. Once people are able to research software specific issues, switching products won't be as much of a problem

mxuribe 3y ago
> "People need to be taught in a more software agnostic way...switching products won't be as much of a problem" Yep, I agree 100% right there!!! Not only does it help to ease support of those people, but they actually learn things better that way and gain much more independence! The weird thing is that some portion of the people who do not know how to be independent in basic computing are fiercely independent in other areas of their lives...which often speaks to lack of enough computing literacy some among populations...and while it might statistically be with older people, that is not always the case! I've seen some older folks be able to learn some computing basics FASTEr than some supposed digital natives. Not always of course, but more than i ever expected.
water-data-dude 3y ago
It used to be that tech was one of those areas where you could search for things and actually find answers fast, but lately I’ve noticed that the search results have gotten a lot worse. The techie blogspam took a while to catch up with more mainstream topics, but at this point it’s almost as bogged down in useless crap. It’s still the best answer, but you might need to teach them how to recognize crap and THEN get them in the habit of doing web searches.