Published on 12, July, 2020
I have huge problems with tech, I almost gave up joining here as I kept running into problems about codes and passwords. I can use basic email and just about cope with some shopping, like the big forresty place, but some I find overwhelming. I don't know how to use a smart phone I can just about cope with a stupid one, but not well. Everyone seems to think that everyone else is comfortable with tech and that 'it's intuitive', who's intuition are they using? I can't seem to find any help and everyone seems to think more tech is the answer. I'm starting to get very excluded from the world as everything moves towards smart phones, mobile banking, do they really want me to crash the worlds entire banking system? That's the other thing with tech, I go near it, it goes wrong, the list of things I've crashed gets ever longer, sometimes I only have to stand next to something for it to stop working. I'm so fed up with stupid answers when I try and explain my problems, from people talking loudly and slowly to me, (my response was I'm autistic not deaf or stupid), or laughing, getting angry, trying to start me off at a place well above my understanding, like 'you have to decide if you want Apple or Android?' Most often they just sort of drift away, before I sprout a second head or something. One of my learning difficulties is that some bits of information go straight to long term memory storage without ever passing through short term memory storage, I'm told that without spending time in short term storage, I have no synaptic links created, so I can't retrieve information. For example I know I've done C&P dozens of times, but I can't remember how to do it, everytime is like the first, of course it dosen't help when I lose stuff, like an essay or something. Tech causes me more meltdowns than almost anything else
I can sympathise with you. I had a NAS number for a while as couldn't work out how to change to a name. That is also why I have no picture. Someone kindly told me how to upload a picture via a laptop but I still couldn't do it so I enjoy pictures from the experts instead. I once tried like others to refer to someone else's phrase but that went wrong too. Not sure what will happen when there is a new Forum.
At work any updates throw me. I either need a manual or have to write down in small stages what to do. If I don't I often forget next time. I do feel though I can empathize with any customers who also struggle with technology. If I spoke to you at work I would definitely be on your side. We all have different strengths and for some of us it isn't technology.
Passwords are also a nightmare. It was so much easier when we had paper that could be filed under sections. The worse scenario with passwords is when you try to reset it and you get a message to say your email is already in use. Of course it is. This is the time that I then start talking to the technology as if it will understand that I just want to do a simple thing but have forgotten my password.
I am fortunate that I have a husband who can guide me through a lot of things when I have still forgotten what to do next, but I don't know how I would manage without him.
Even new appliances often come with no or little instructions as we are meant to look online and it is no longer a simple case of turning a dial to select an option. Then there is starting up one of them because you leaned over it and the touch pad registered something.
Even the doctors surgery relies on you signing in. On my first or second attempt I was confused as the name came up wrong until I realized that was who I was seeing. Fortunately I tend to book the quietest times as anyone nearby would hear me talking through the instructions.
I have to say I enjoy non technology time. I go for a walk most days and enjoy hearing birdsong or smelling flowers. I totally don't understand people walking along glued to their phones. Knowing my luck I would probably trip over.
Almost everything it seems relies on electricity and internet access. I used to like looking up the yellow pages. There have been times when I have called on my mobile and then need to look something up. Apparently you can do this whilst in a call but with my luck I would either disconnect the person I finally got through to after nearly an hour, or I wouldn't be able to find the button to get back to end the call.