Randy

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Username:: solitaire
Name:: Randy
Location:: Rossville, IN
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Computing & Technology > Wishes

Wishes

Wanted: computer assistance. I'm really frustrated with my inability to do the things I would like to do, and that everybody else seems to know how to do.

My visiting daughter's husband from Honduras helped me inform all those in my address book of my change in email address (in 5', just before I took them to the airport yest). He knew exactly how to do it. I've tried for 3 weeks!

I can't seem to do photos, despite all the written directions I've received from people like you. I feel so stupid and inept.

I wanted to post an article I received as an email here on mybloggers, but I have no idea how. "Copy and paste" doesn't present itself, and even if it did, I'd be lost in space. Don't bother to tell me how. It won't work. I need a real person, sitting at my computer. He/she has to go slow, step by step.

I realize "experience is the best teacher". But I've had no experience. Add a cartoon to this post? Ha Ha! Never in a million years could I do it. And believe me, I've tried. How I ever even got any photos to appear on my profile page is a mystery to me. I haven't been able to do it again! I've attempted to change my avatar, but to no avail.

Why don't I do Facebook (or any other twitter type things)? Because I'm an idiot! Why don't I own an ipod or whatever? Because it's all a technological mystery to me. I am clueless.

So, for Christmas, all I want is for someone to teach me how to make good use out of this computer. I do two things--email and blogs. All primitive. I wonder if there's a support group for people like me?

posted on Nov 17, 2011 6:33 AM ()

Comments:

I am in the same boat...;I have lots of pictures and am just waiting for
Laura to visit me.

comment by elderjane on Nov 26, 2011 7:44 AM ()

Ooops.

You are right about Ctrl-V.
How could it not work??

I guarantee that if I stood over your shoulder while you did it, it would work.

comment by crazylife on Nov 18, 2011 12:07 PM ()

That's the 64 thousand dollar question ('How could it not work?"). It just sat there. I'll try again later. Thanks anyway. By the way, if you ever need to get away, you're welcome to visit me in Indiana, if only to help me learn how to use my computer!

reply by solitaire on Nov 19, 2011 5:22 AM ()

To copy from an email: open the email and click on the text you want to copy. Do Ctrl-A (hold down the Ctrl button, then press A). That will select the text. Next, Ctrl-C (copy). Open a new MyBloggers post, and Ctrl-P (paste). Try it.

comment by crazylife on Nov 17, 2011 9:51 PM ()

See? I win. Tried it. Nothing. Zilch happened. That's why I get so frustrated. I have a lot to be thankful for, but this isn't one of them.

reply by solitaire on Nov 18, 2011 6:25 AM ()

I'll try it. My keyboard says "paste" key is V, not P (says print). I'll be willing to bet $100 it won't work. To be continued.

reply by solitaire on Nov 18, 2011 6:19 AM ()

This will copy everything, so you may have to delete what you don't want in your post.

reply by crazylife on Nov 17, 2011 9:53 PM ()

I am the next state over from you. Still too far. Maybe you could make up a list of questions and we could help you out as a group. We could all learn a little something along the way. I spent 30 years working with computers, programming, software and hardware help. Since I retired, I know nothing. Things change too fast.

comment by boots586 on Nov 17, 2011 3:57 PM ()

The 3 years before I retired from teaching in '98, we had crash courses on computers (for classroom use mostly). But that was the "bronze age". The welcome mat is out, if you're ever in the neighborhood. I welcome the assistance.

reply by solitaire on Nov 18, 2011 6:10 AM ()

I'm driving through Indiana today but I don't have time to stop. Alas.

comment by jerms on Nov 17, 2011 10:00 AM ()

Seriously?

reply by jerms on Nov 18, 2011 10:18 AM ()

Gee, what a shame! I would love to meet you.

reply by solitaire on Nov 18, 2011 6:07 AM ()

Those classes offered to the public are a drag, because you invariably get at least one person in the class who is just hopeless, so the teacher has to teach at their level, and a lot of time is wasted on topics you already know or don't care about. They might not even get to what you went there to learn. If you do take a class, and that clueless person isn't there - then it's you, and everyone else in the class is going to go home and complain about 'that idiot who ruined the class' so you should go home at the break.

But seriously, read the description carefully for the skills you want to come away with, and choose accordingly. I would think 'Email 101' might do it because that should cover how to work with image files including re-sizing and uploading. And maybe you'll meet some eligible women.

Many public libraries offer such classes.

comment by troutbend on Nov 17, 2011 9:48 AM ()

I CAN do quite a few things--download camera pics to the computer, send them off to be developed, email them to others, etc. A computer class would probably be 90% wasted talking about things I don't care about. I need someone sitting here when I say (like to my son-in-law), "Show me how to do ....". Until then, what you see is what you get--limited, basic posts.

reply by solitaire on Nov 18, 2011 6:05 AM ()

Can sympathize with your frustration I am a mixed bag of techie, can do some things and not others. Then when I have solved something, if I don't do it again right away, I forget how. krstilyn3 has the right suggestion: see if you can find a computer class near you.

comment by tealstar on Nov 17, 2011 9:26 AM ()

In the Auxiliary, we have a lot of older members with little computer savvy. For them, I have written "How-to's" complete with step by step illustrations. Most of them, however, deal with how to resize or send images, add information (metadata) to the photograph's property list, etc. I know how frustrated and inept you feel. That is how I feel when I try to learn the new Adobe CS.5 programs like Flash, Fireworks, Dreamweaver and Indesign. I got so frustrated that I stopped trying, but now I have to get back to it again and dread it! Learning should be easier.

comment by dragonflyby on Nov 17, 2011 9:10 AM ()

Young people don't understand it's like learning a new language for us "seniors". I'm willing to learn, but I need an instructor. I could learn Chinese from a book, but I could never speak it. Am I making sense? Tanks for your "sympathy".

reply by solitaire on Nov 18, 2011 5:58 AM ()

I'm with you--every time a computer is sold you should get a private in house instructor who comes every month to sit by your side and show you everything you want/need to do!

comment by greatmartin on Nov 17, 2011 7:32 AM ()

Good idea. They forget old farts like us didn't grow up with a computer in our laps.

reply by solitaire on Nov 18, 2011 5:55 AM ()

I would LOVE to help you out. My mother used to have her cut and paste instructions hanging right next to her computer so I completely understand... I am glad you are willing to learn - since you are willing I am sure you do it! Are there any free classes through a community center or anything you could take? Or sometimes there are classes from community colleges that you can take as well. If I lived closer I would totally be there!

comment by kristilyn3 on Nov 17, 2011 7:03 AM ()

I appreciate your willingness to help--and really sorry you aren't nearby. I need all the help I can get! I'll continue to muddle through.

reply by solitaire on Nov 18, 2011 5:53 AM ()

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