Writers and Word
The one thing that continually surprises me is how many writers are unfamiliar with computers--even the word processing software they use! Now granted, some of the things in Word that aren't accessed often are not easy to figure out, but we're talking simple stuff here like creating headers or getting word count. How can you spend hours on a computer every day writing and not know some of these things?
It's not only writers, I know that. I work with people who can't figure out how to do anything new on a computer unless you hold their hand through it. And my cousin, who has an MBA, emailed me to ask how to upload a photo to Facebook! What? Sigh.
Writers loops, though, can be even worse. There are people who can't figure out Blogger or WordPress. I'm not talking about something more complex like perhaps changing a theme or adding plug-ins. I mean they can't figure out how to schedule a post in advance. It's enough to make me weep. And knowing the smallest things about their websites? Forget about it!
It's not that I'm an expert. I'm not. There are things I don't know how to do because I've never had a need to learn them and other things I could be making better use of, but the basics of my programs? Those I know. And what I don't know, I make a point of learning.
One of the first things I did after selling was take a class on web design. I signed up for and finished HTML 1 and 2, CSS, and took a class on Paint Shop Pro so I could manage my graphics. I can't create my own graphics--a sad lack of artistic talent--but I can work with photos and do rudimentary images. I can update my site on my own, I can find things that are wrong and fix them, and if I have to, I can create new pages. Since I had my website redesigned by a professional, though, I let them make new pages because it saves me time.
A lot of the questions I see asked aren't only easy, but simply pulling down a few menus would show them how to do what they want to do. They don't pull down the menus and try things. I have a writer friend whose desktop computers are constantly being repaired and replaced because they die on her. (She's a self-confessed techno-dummy (her term, not mine.)) I've had one motherboard burn up and need to be replaced, but all my computers still run. They might be slow and old, but they work. I can only assume that it's how she uses them that causes all the issues because she's not buying inferior brands and the odds of always buying the lemon has to be low.
I think it's fear that holds a lot of people back on computers. They're afraid they'll mess something up and not be able to fix it. I'm nearly fearless. Which might not always be a good thing, but I always go with the supposition that if worse comes to worse, I can wipe the drive and reload everything. It's never reached that point. :-)
I think that statement just scared a few people. Hey, you should wipe your drive every year or two and reload. It'll get your machine running faster again, so in a worst-case scenario, it's only a short-term inconvenience. However, I will confess that I've only wiped my drive and reloaded once. It was just too much work to get all the files off and then put them back on again. In fact, some of the files never did make it back on that computer.
Anyway, writers, pull down menus and the help menu are your friends. Use them. Googling how to do something is another good alternative. There are even sites with free tutorials. Take advantage of them and get to know your software.
Shortly, I'll be putting my money where my mouth is. I'm going from Office 2003 to 2007 and it's drastically different. I have a pretty good idea that I'll end up frustrated and using the help menu frequently. So maybe y'all will be having the last laugh when it's all said and done.
It's not only writers, I know that. I work with people who can't figure out how to do anything new on a computer unless you hold their hand through it. And my cousin, who has an MBA, emailed me to ask how to upload a photo to Facebook! What? Sigh.
Writers loops, though, can be even worse. There are people who can't figure out Blogger or WordPress. I'm not talking about something more complex like perhaps changing a theme or adding plug-ins. I mean they can't figure out how to schedule a post in advance. It's enough to make me weep. And knowing the smallest things about their websites? Forget about it!
It's not that I'm an expert. I'm not. There are things I don't know how to do because I've never had a need to learn them and other things I could be making better use of, but the basics of my programs? Those I know. And what I don't know, I make a point of learning.
One of the first things I did after selling was take a class on web design. I signed up for and finished HTML 1 and 2, CSS, and took a class on Paint Shop Pro so I could manage my graphics. I can't create my own graphics--a sad lack of artistic talent--but I can work with photos and do rudimentary images. I can update my site on my own, I can find things that are wrong and fix them, and if I have to, I can create new pages. Since I had my website redesigned by a professional, though, I let them make new pages because it saves me time.
A lot of the questions I see asked aren't only easy, but simply pulling down a few menus would show them how to do what they want to do. They don't pull down the menus and try things. I have a writer friend whose desktop computers are constantly being repaired and replaced because they die on her. (She's a self-confessed techno-dummy (her term, not mine.)) I've had one motherboard burn up and need to be replaced, but all my computers still run. They might be slow and old, but they work. I can only assume that it's how she uses them that causes all the issues because she's not buying inferior brands and the odds of always buying the lemon has to be low.
I think it's fear that holds a lot of people back on computers. They're afraid they'll mess something up and not be able to fix it. I'm nearly fearless. Which might not always be a good thing, but I always go with the supposition that if worse comes to worse, I can wipe the drive and reload everything. It's never reached that point. :-)
I think that statement just scared a few people. Hey, you should wipe your drive every year or two and reload. It'll get your machine running faster again, so in a worst-case scenario, it's only a short-term inconvenience. However, I will confess that I've only wiped my drive and reloaded once. It was just too much work to get all the files off and then put them back on again. In fact, some of the files never did make it back on that computer.
Anyway, writers, pull down menus and the help menu are your friends. Use them. Googling how to do something is another good alternative. There are even sites with free tutorials. Take advantage of them and get to know your software.
Shortly, I'll be putting my money where my mouth is. I'm going from Office 2003 to 2007 and it's drastically different. I have a pretty good idea that I'll end up frustrated and using the help menu frequently. So maybe y'all will be having the last laugh when it's all said and done.
posted by Patti O'Shea at 7:20 PM
I remember when I first went to 2007 it was like starting over with a brand new program, WITHOUT the help files (They are not included with this version). Eventually I just started making my own "quick menu" that displays beneath the standard ones, and in no time, I was running on full again. Just don't try to fax anything! And don't try to import pics straight from the scanner - it won't work. They deleted those two, rather important, features! Good Luck!
Hi Patti :)
Thank you for sharing.
I've been learning about Blogger and Wordpress via the Internet. Google is my friend. :)
Love & Best Wishes,
RKCharron
xoxo
I use Office 2007 at work and by and large I like it. Some things are actually much better.
For my writing, though, I still use WordPerfect (in Parallels) but I have Office 2008 for the Mac just in case. And I do use it.
There's a lot of Techno-phobia and ignorance out there (not limited to writers by any means).
Patti: Thank you for your post. I know only too well what you're talking about. Perhaps my experiences along these lines will help others, so here goes.
I'm very technology-challenged, in many respects a Luddite. But I can't and won't let this hold me back. Even if I don't belong in the age of high technology, I'm here. I must make the best of it.
There's much I don't know, but nothing I can't learn. I've found ways to find out what I need to know to perform various computer-related tasks.
Often merely entering the keywords in a search engine will do the trick. So do the help apps installed with Windows, Internet Explorer, and (with Mcrosoft Office 2007) the tutorials.
Remember, if you're encountering a problem and you're stumped for a fix, someone else has been in the same situation---lots of someones, really. To paraphrase a famous line from "The X-Files," the solution is out there.
And when all else fails, ask for help. The various apps, programs, and operating systems should provide users with e-mail addresses, URLs, and/or phone numbers where they can get assistance. Or call up the store where you bought your computer, periphs, and/or software and ask to speak to the designated troubleshooter.
As an educator I know that the best way to learn something new and retain the knowledge and skills associated with it is to use it. Put it to practical use and keep doing so.
Keep up the good work!
Teresa,
No help file? Guess Google and I will be spending a lot of time together. I'm not sure why they felt the need to change Word so drastically. The biggest thing the program needed was a way to edit format codes like WordPerfect has.
Patti
Rob,
Google is my friend, too! So many of the questions people have would be answered if they either Googled it or just experimented a little.
Patti
Carolyn,
I still use WordPerfect, too. They'll be prying that disk out of my cold, dead fingers. :-) But I do use Word at the EDJ and I have Office 2003 right now at home because there are times you just have to use it. (But I do think Word is better for printing labels and envelopes.)
Yes, agree on the techo-phobia/ignorance. I work with a few including CFH.
Patti
Mary Anne,
Good for you on not letting technology hold you back! I'm glad you're learning and I wish more people would do the things you do. I hope those who are techo-phobic will learn from your steps!
Patti
Post a Comment
<< Home