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A Lack of Intelligence, Not Training, May Be Why People Struggle with Computers

6 points by Brajeshwar 2y ago

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
realityfactchex 2y ago
> the first-ever study to measure users’ actual ability to perform daily tasks on a PC Amazing, if true. > age remains the most important factor in how well an individual can use applications. > the most important thing in using a spreadsheet program is practice I have a feeling those older user would do just fine if Windows behaved like Windows 95 to Windows 7 and Office behaved like Office 95 to Office 2003. And I don't really think it's the users' intelligence that is the problem. On Desktop in 2025, Windows usage is >70%, Mac >15% [0]. I think some of us techies have rosy glasses because our occupations let us afford frequent Apple everything, but this is not a financial reality for most. This computer-usage-researcher finds that computer users who are better at using computers are smarter and younger? (And not that the systems themselves are stupider than they should be?) Interesting. There is a digital divide, and TFA does help describe its characteristics. Contributors to the divide are not just economics-driven-availability, but rather, "availability in general" of sane systems, partially informed by who is willing/able to put in the effort to even use a computer effectively. More and more, I don't think it's lack of intelligence leading users to give up--I think it's a *different kind* of intelligence that informs users that it's not "worth it" to suffer. As software producers, we can do better. Even we on HN are on a sliding scale of user-savviness. What happened to "it's never the user's fault"? Is that adage gone? [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_systems#Desktop_and_laptop_computers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_syste...
- codedokode 2y ago
  > I have a feeling those older user would do just fine if Windows behaved like Windows 95 to Windows 7 and Office behaved like Office 95 to Office 2003. And I don't really think it's the users' intelligence that is the problem. Desktop UI is too complicated and over-engineered. Compare desktop UI to phone for example, people have less problem learning it.
codedokode 2y ago
I think it mostly depends on age. Kids have no problem learning how to use a phone, youtube and messenger apps independent from their grades.

6 points by Brajeshwar 2y ago

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

> the first-ever study to measure users’ actual ability to perform daily tasks on a PC Amazing, if true. > age remains the most important factor in how well an individual can use applications. > the most important thing in using a spreadsheet program is practice I have a feeling those older user would do just fine if Windows behaved like Windows 95 to Windows 7 and Office behaved like Office 95 to Office 2003. And I don't really think it's the users' intelligence that is the problem. On Desktop in 2025, Windows usage is >70%, Mac >15% [0]. I think some of us techies have rosy glasses because our occupations let us afford frequent Apple everything, but this is not a financial reality for most. This computer-usage-researcher finds that computer users who are better at using computers are smarter and younger? (And not that the systems themselves are stupider than they should be?) Interesting. There is a digital divide, and TFA does help describe its characteristics. Contributors to the divide are not just economics-driven-availability, but rather, "availability in general" of sane systems, partially informed by who is willing/able to put in the effort to even use a computer effectively. More and more, I don't think it's lack of intelligence leading users to give up--I think it's a *different kind* of intelligence that informs users that it's not "worth it" to suffer. As software producers, we can do better. Even we on HN are on a sliding scale of user-savviness. What happened to "it's never the user's fault"? Is that adage gone? [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_systems#Desktop_and_laptop_computers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_operating_syste...

codedokode 2y ago
> I have a feeling those older user would do just fine if Windows behaved like Windows 95 to Windows 7 and Office behaved like Office 95 to Office 2003. And I don't really think it's the users' intelligence that is the problem. Desktop UI is too complicated and over-engineered. Compare desktop UI to phone for example, people have less problem learning it.

codedokode 2y ago

I think it mostly depends on age. Kids have no problem learning how to use a phone, youtube and messenger apps independent from their grades.