• Replies 5 replies
  • Subscribers 4 subscribers
  • Views 48 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

How do people manage tech?

TheCatWoman

For me its so stress inducing, it never seems to matter what I do things go wrong and they go wrong in a big way, or just so frustratingly small things that will not do as they're asked. People tell me it's not just me it happens too and that I'm forgetting all the times its worked and I find I can't really believe them, I know part of it is learning difficulties, some tyes of information go straight to long term memory storage without ever passing through short tem memory, so I've  probably got multiple memories of how to do simple things like C&P, but no way to access them and every time I try  its like the first time. I've tried doing the same things over and over in the hope of getting them to stick in my memory, onl they don't, although I remember having done so, just not what I did.

I had a horrific experience with a new computor a couple of weeks ago, I ended up locked out of everything except my email as it refused to accept any of my existing passwords, refused to accept new passwords and OTP's, it was treating me like I was an invader into my own stuff. I had to write to the comunity manager to help me get back on here as I was stuck on the sign in/reset password page going round in circles.

Its upset me so much that I'm still using my old laptop as I'm to afraid to go on the new one, even starting it up feels risky as I don't know if it will do it again or infect this old one. I'm going to have to get a new phone soon as my current one has a big crack on the casing and I know I should upgrade to something more modern and not an old basic flip top doro. I get so overwhelmed so easily with any thing techy, people starting asking questions and using words I don't understand or why they're asking, then they get cross or disapoiinted that I don't know and I get upset and have the urge to crawl under the table and hide. I've had a few people try and teach me but things have always gone wrong and they can't help anymore or they've just got frustrated or even worse set me up to fail. Everytime I successfully log on to my pooter and do what I need to do, even here I feel like I've got away with it rather than done something normal.

  • I'm a computer semi-geek - I know what everything does and feel confident playing with hardware and software - though that's only on something running Windows or Linux. I wouldn't know how to approach a Mac. 

    The only thing I'd add to Iain's suggestions are to use a password manager.  1password is a Candian firm and one of the most accessible to a novice. It's not expensive, either - only around £2.50 a month. Proton (a Swiss company) offers an excellent free service, but it might be confusing to someone struggling with tech. 

    Google offers a free password manager, if you use Chrome. Microsoft offers one if you use Edge. Firefox (another popular browser) also has one.

  • I first learned to use a computer by getting trained to use a massive Olivetti system. I forgot most of what I was instructed to do the next day so the session was repeated. This time I took notes of every action and I even copied the symbols on each key so that there would be no mistake of what to click. After repeating these actions over the next weeks, it soon became second nature. 

    Years later I went on courses. As before, I had to take notes of every action to refer to later. Like many people, my short term memory isn’t reliable for things like that so the notes were a necessity.

    Nowadays I use a Mac, iPad and iPhone. It is set up so that if I start something on one device, I can continue it on another and documents can be accessed from any one at any time. If there is a major software update and the required actions to perform a task change, I can search for how to do this in the online instructions. If I buy a new device, everything in my old device is transferred automatically. 

    I don’t know if you are wanting help or not. A while back I gave you the details of people who can help you in your part of Wales. The organisation was set up to deal with people in situations such as yours.

  • I used to be quite good with tech and moderated on a computer forum. I used to fix computers to for myself and family members. I used to follow Blackberry and Nokia phones. However, they changed and Blackberry stopped making phones.

    I only liked certain forms of laptops and they stopped selling them so I lost interest in them and the computer forum closed. I still have the laptops I owned from 2008. I have two laptops and I just bought a newer version of one of them on ebay from Germany and got it sent to me as I liked using it so much. I like the dvd drives still and having a 2nd swappable battery to with the dvd drive. I used to buy Apple laptops but not any more.

    I buy laptops where I can change the hard drive myself if I need a new  or if I don't want to I will take it to a computer shop locally and they will swap the operating system for me. 

    I get a phone every 2-3 years and just transfer my information over.

  • Hi

    Iain’s suggestions are good ones. A notebook with your login and passwords would definitely help. 

    I’ve noticed too how your annoyance with the tech gets transferred to people on here who try to help you. Also perhaps try using correct terminology instead of slang words. "Pooter” is often used by less confident older people and actually pushes others who might help away rather than engaging with them seriously. 

    Ive a practical suggestion though - I worked in public libraries for many years, retired in 2013, and we had computers and staff with them to assist people one-to-one who are learning how to use them. You might not have one on Anglesey but I would imagine Bangor or one of the north wales coast towns will have the facilities and sessions which you can book. I know for certain that Conwy has an excellent public library with a cafe, and that there are direct trains from Llanfair with its large free car park. 

    Good wishes 

    Alice

  • TheCatWoman said:
    I know part of it is learning difficulties, some tyes of information go straight to long term memory storage without ever passing through short tem memory

    You know this is most likely the root of many of the issues you experience so I would say find ways to store this information in a way that you can access - perhaps pen and paper is better for you. When making notes, make sure you write it in a way that will be easy to understand it when you go back to read it again in the future.

    TheCatWoman said:
    I ended up locked out of everything except my email as it refused to accept any of my existing passwords

    I would use the same technique - make a list of these in a notebook with space for new passwords when you need to change them.

    TheCatWoman said:
    they get cross or disapoiinted that I don't know and I get upset

    I have observed your response to tech issues on many occasions and when I have tried to help I often feel as if you are being aggressive for trying to help. I appreciate it may not be your intention but this may be why you find people back away quickly when trying to help.

    Is there a solution to all of this? It probably requires 2 things - 1) moderating your stress response to the issues and being able to seek assistance in a calm state of mind, and 2) finding a tech support person who you can rely on to help without feeling antagonised.

    This would be my interpretation of the situation and thoughts on how you could make progress.