Computers can be very intimidating at times, and frustrating, and unreliable, and a bunch of other words that probably wouldn’t be appropriate to include in this article.  Oh, and one more thing…I love them!  However, I must admit, it wasn’t exactly love at first site for me and my PC.  Like any good partnership, the relationship required much nurturing, never-ending understanding, and an obscene amount of patience. 

Being a member of Generation X (the children of MTV and Video Games) home and school computers were not as prevalent, and the modern day Internet had not yet been born when I was growing up.  In fact, I never really became accustomed to using computers on a daily basis until about 1997, when my new job at Pace University required me to access email.  Up until that time, I was quite content with interoffice mail, electric typewriters and getting my fingers dirty while I flipped through the pages of my newspaper.  I didn’t have any formal experience using a PC and when people around me talked about computers, it might as well have been in ancient Arabic because I had absolutely no clue what was being said.  Usually, things that I don’t understand right away frustrate me…like trigonometry in high school!  This time however, I didn’t find myself frustrated with computers because up until the time I started using them, they didn’t serve a very meaningful purpose in my life.  Email was also pretty easy to manage and I figured if I could get that mastered, then I would be just fine.  Little did I know the monster that was being created inside of me. 

After getting acquainted with my new “electronic colleague,” something strange happened.  My curiosity got the best of me and I started poking my nose around the different programs on my computer.  The one that intrigued me most was the Internet.  This wealth of information (factual and erroneous) available at my fingertips with just a few clicks of my mouse.  I’m talking about News, Sports, Weather, Shopping, Research Information for School, Instant Messenger, Music, Games and tons of other things I couldn’t even fathom.  It was overwhelming to say the least….and absolutely exhilarating!  I started finding myself spending more and more time online “surfing the web,” but more importantly I finally understood what “surfing the web” meant!  It was so satisfying to have a question (no matter how bizarre) and know that it could be answered shortly with a couple of clicks of my mouse.  I was hooked!  My “electronic colleague” had just become my new friend and I didn’t even understand how it worked.  Then, at the height of my euphoria, something terrible happened….VIRUS!  My computer was sabotaged by an email attachment unknowingly sent to me by one of my friends.  I was confused, “Who would do such a thing and why?” I was extremely angry and I had a lot to learn about my new relationship. 

So I started asking questions from the resident experts.  These experts included anyone with more knowledge of PC’s than myself at that time.  I was friends with the IT people at work and they helped me understand a great deal.  I soon began to learn the different components of the computer, what my PC was actually capable of handling, and what I needed if I wanted it to do more.  More importantly, I learned how to do some preventative maintenance on my machine, keeping it updated and protected from potential viruses.  When someone with greater knowledge is fixing or working on my machine, I stay and watch.  It’s one of the best ways to learn and a great opportunity to ask questions.  Another trick I recommend to novice users is to explore.  If you want to know what your PC can do, go “clicking” around.  And for those who are still becoming accustomed with their mouse, most PC’s come with built-in card games like solitaire and hearts.  Truth be known, these games were created not to severely decrease work production, but to help users become comfortable navigating with their mouse.  Computers are designed in such a way now, that it is almost impossible to do any serious damage to it unless you really know what you’re doing.  So don’t be afraid to go sneaking around in your PC, it’s not going to hurt you…or your PC. 

Before long, I started venturing into unknown waters on my computer, and began creating web pages.  You want to talk about frustration and patience, get into web design, but nail your PC to the desk first!  Actually, I really enjoyed creating websites and was even given the opportunity to be the webmaster of our department for a brief while.  The websites weren’t exactly the essence of cutting edge technology, but they weren’t bad for some guy who had just been introduced to this new and exciting world of computers.  Using them so frequently, and actually enjoying it, literally changed my life.  It altered my plans for the future and ultimately my career path.  Now I help faculty incorporate Instructional Technology into their curriculums using web based software and I can tell you it is so gratifying when a faculty member gets excited about using technology in their courses or marvels at the possibility available to them with computers.

I’m not suggesting that you too will develop life altering experiences using your computer, but I am imploring you to make that decision for yourself and not let any intimidation or lack of PC knowledge keep you from getting your feet wet.  Listed below are some tips and suggestions for getting started and getting comfortable with using a PC:

• Start off slow.  Start by using your email and navigating through the Internet.  Pick something that interests you.  I’m addicted to the news and the Internet satisfies that addiction for me.  I read multiple newspapers online every morning (I should probably see a therapist about this) and most of them are all available for free.  Find something that interests you and search for it online.  Use a search engine like “Google” www.google.com or “Yahoo” www.yahoo.com.  Chances are you’ll be inundated with a plethora of links related to your topic, but a few of those links may contain some interesting and useful information.  When you find a site you like, “bookmark” it using the option available in your browser (e.g. – Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator).  This way, next time you’re “surfing the web,” you can easily refer back to the site. 

• Ask Questions.  Just like you plead your students to ask questions, so too must you when your PC starts resembling ancient Hieroglyphics.  Never pass up the opportunity to gain some knowledge about computers and soon you’ll notice the different pieces of the puzzle coming together.  There are plenty of resources available to you at the University when you’re looking for answers.  Also try doing searches on the Internet for “Computer Tips” or “Computers for Beginners” or something to that effect.  Many times you’ll find some great free information that someone has posted to help those just starting out….remember you’re not alone!   Many of the programs you use on the computer today also have a “Help” section or “Tutorial” built into them, which is always my first point of attack when I’m stuck.

• Be Patient.  If humans make mistakes, and computers were made by humans, then….well you fill in the blank.  Things are not always going to go your way, especially in the beginning.  Computers will crash, viruses will cause inconveniences and your taxes will be due on April 15^th.  These things are certain and the sooner you accept them, the better your relationship with your PC will be.  There are some things you can do to avoid future headaches.  SAVE! SAVE! SAVE!  Save the work that you’re doing on the machine periodically.  Even if you’re not finished, or halfway through, or even if you think you saved it already….SAVE IT AGAIN!  This will give you some peace of mind, but just be sure to remember where on your computer you saved it.  Also, remember to update your computer periodically.  Most of us are using some version of Microsoft’s Windows operating system on our computers whether it be Windows 98, 2000, or XP.  Every so often, Microsoft will provide critical updates, fixes, or patches for your operating system, available for free on its website www.windowsupdate.com.  I recommend that you refer to this site at least twice a month in order to ensure that your computer is up to date and less susceptible to potential viruses.  The Windows Update feature can also be accessed from the start menu on your PC or by accessing the “tools” menu in your Internet Explorer browser.  The updates you’re looking for are the “Critical Updates.”  The others are only recommended and not absolutely necessary. 

• Beware.  Viruses are becoming more and more sophisticated, as well as dangerous each day.  Be careful!  Lookout for suspicious emails with odd or unusually friendly titles and body messages.  These emails usually have attachments associated with them (e.g. – “.exe” files).  NEVER open up an attachment unless you are expecting one, certain of the contents, or until you have confirmed with the sender that the attachment is ok to open.  Also, be sure to have some sort of virus protection software on your home computer (e.g. – McAfee or Norton) and keep them updated.  The University PC’s should all have Norton Anti-virus running on them and they are automatically updated daily.  For those of you who have high speed Internet connections at home, like Cable Modem or DSL, it’s a good idea to install firewall protection software on your PC to give you some added security from people trying to access your machine.  You can purchase this software or search online for free versions. 

• Accept the Laws of Technology.  Computers are not a temporary fad that is disappearing anytime soon.  Someone once asked me if I thought that these latest string of viruses that occurred in the beginning of the semester would precipitate the end of the Internet.  Not Likely.  I compared it to the recent Blackout we experienced this summer.  People were inconvenienced, but they weren’t exactly ready to give up on electricity and go back to candles and burning coal.  One obvious nuance of technology is that it is always changing and at an extremely rapid rate.  Just when you get used to working with one program or understanding how a certain technology works, they pull the rug out from underneath you.  The positive side of this is that the new technology is usually more user-friendly than its predecessor.  It’s just going take a little time to get used to.  The moment you begin to accept this truth and realize it’s not going to change, the closer you will be to PC Utopia.  In fact, after a while, you’ll even begin to anticipate new versions of programs before they’re released.         

It’s difficult to imagine my life now without computers.  The majority of time I’m using them for work, but they’re usually also my first point of reference for anything else I need – driving directions, food recipes, airline tickets, bank statement, Broadway show tickets, the meaning of the word “accoutrement”.  You name it and I’m sure I could find it online.  I do chuckle at times when someone introduces me to his or her class as an “expert” in computers.  Though flattering, I would say I have about a 50 percent understanding of computer technology and thus would argue that qualifies me far beneath any “expert”.  Would you want a doctor with 50 percent of experience in his or her field operating on you?  I’ll pass on that.  However, I do think it just goes to show that with a little nurturing, never-ending understanding, and an obscene amount of patience, you too can be an “expert” in computers!

"This wealth of information (factual and erroneous) available at my fingertips with just a few clicks of my mouse."

"Computers will crash, viruses will cause inconveniences and your taxes will be due on April 15^th."