What do you use your home computer's power for?

[The Gorn]

For a generic non technical person, Windows should be the only thing you supply. Even though cellphones run Linux today it would be too much trouble explaining that Ubuntu is "just like" Windows.

[Walter Mitty]

What do you use the power of your home computer's operating system for?

The answers to the OQ revolved around what operating system(s) you run on it.  Is that the purpose, or did you buy a home computer and put an operating system on it for some other purpose?

[Richardk]

A computer is the hardware that's either a Windows machine or something from Apple. That's it.

I can't give away a computer with Ubuntu on it. Not that there's anything wrong with it, it's just that people don't get it. Sure lots of things run Linux but they're buying a 'thing' that just happens to have Linux under the hood, like the cell phone that was mentioned. It's not the other way around of I'll buy this small computing device with built in cellular technology and turn it into a phone using Linux.

[It's just like you don't have to understand how a car works to drive one.]

As for giving them to people with a financial need, I found it often doesn't meet their technical needs.

Applications have gotten fat plus installing a current Windows app on a Windows 98 or Ubuntu system just isn't going to work.

I've seen grade schools assigning projects that require a camcorder and something like Windows movie maker. It's not that you can't use Ubuntu but there's more "know how" with Windows among parents.

At the high school level, I've seen "here's a project, finish it in PowerPoint". They need the latest version though I don't think your typical Walmart brand computer for the masses comes with PowerPoint. And if you have Ubuntu, your typical user won't be able to figure it out.

There is nothing wrong with Ubuntu but with all this technology, many people are still computer illiterate. They want the technology but it has to be Windows and a current version at that.

That's pretty sad but without good support, an open mind and willingness to learn, they'll never figure it out on their own.

[The Gorn]

There is nothing wrong with Ubuntu but with all this technology, many people are still computer illiterate. They want the technology but it has to be Windows and a current version at that.

That's pretty sad but without good support, an open mind and willingness to learn, they'll never figure it out on their own.

This is a long-standing meme in our culture:

"Anyone who uses a computer is irresponsible if they are computer illiterate. They should learn more."

vs.

"You're being mean and elitist - my 73 IQ is just fine and I work this Android phone fine. Now fix stuff for me so it looks right. No, I can't read anything back to you or follow step by step instructions. I have a 73 IQ, remember? Please wipe my ass for me, too."

[Richardk]

I can only shake my head in agreement.

I had a support call today where a print job was "cancelled" by turning off the printer. I instructed them to clear the print spooler before turning the printer back on. Suddenly it's printing gibberish and running though paper like there's no tomorrow. Clearing the spooler failed but they forgot to mention that and continued on with turning the printer back on. Obviously it was my fault.

[Origisaurus]

This is a long-standing meme in our culture:

"Anyone who uses a computer is irresponsible if they are computer illiterate. They should learn more."

vs.

"You're being mean and elitist - my 73 IQ is just fine and I work this Android phone fine. Now fix stuff for me so it looks right. No, I can't read anything back to you or follow step by step instructions. I have a 73 IQ, remember? Please wipe my ass for me, too."

Contrast this with a licensed driver's total lack of knowledge about the functioning of the two-ton lethal device they so blithely tool around in while texting or whatever.

[The Gorn]

^ The difference being that consumers are used to paying car repair and body work rates, and they just have to accept the service provider's statement of the problem.

While with computers, a stupid know-nothing prole will argue with you endlessly about shit that he could never possibly understand. And there is no recognized industry certifications or licensing for service providers in computers at the consumer/SOHO end, so that everyone in that business has to persuade through sheer force of personality that they are the right choice.

While most drivers are as ignorant about the cars they drive as stupid end users are about the computers they use, there are safety and workmanship standards in place for auto repair, and nothing of the sort exists for computers.

[Richardk]

While most drivers are as ignorant about the cars they drive as stupid end users are about the computers they use, there are safety and workmanship standards in place for auto repair, and nothing of the sort exists for computers.

That's also true for IT staff.

Customer's are using price to differentiate between a professional and a high school kid when looking for services and they're not saying "Oh, that high school kid is too cheap". Instead it's "Wow, why is that professional so expensive?"

[DG9]

Customer's are using price to differentiate between a professional and a high school kid when looking for services and they're not saying "Oh, that high school kid is too cheap". Instead it's "Wow, why is that professional so expensive?"

And we've all learned via the media that the high school or even grade school kid is miles ahead of any older white male (aka a dad) when it comes to tech... 

[TechTalk]

About a year and a half ago, I was thinking about building an Intel i7 box.  What I wound up doing was purchasing a used i7-920 PC on eBay.  My thinking was that in a down economy, if I was patient, I could nab myself a great deal.  Well, things didn't quite work out that way.  The PC that I wound up winning in an auction wasn't packaged properly and it arrived with some cosmetic damage. 

Then I quickly ran into a memory problem.  The PC came with 6 GB of installed RAM, however, there appears to be some type of problem with the motherboard (made by ASUS).  On most days that I actually check, the PC reports that there is only 4 GB of installed RAM.  I ran diagnostic tests and looked on the web for solutions.  Finally, I was forced to take my motherboard outside of the case (it currently sits on top of a cardboard box) to look for an electrical short.  Note: It has been over 11 months now and the motherboard still rests on a cardboard box!

I think the real problem that I am having with the missing 2 GB of memory has something to do with the large and very heavy CPU Cooler that I have.  I think it might be warping the motherboard in some manner or it wasn't installed properly and it is causing a short (resulting in the missing 2GB of RAM).   Someday, I may try replacing the CPU cooler -- just not today.   

[pxsant]

Then I quickly ran into a memory problem.  The PC came with 6 GB of installed RAM, however, there appears to be some type of problem with the motherboard (made by ASUS).  On most days that I actually check, the PC reports that there is only 4 GB of installed RAM.  I ran diagnostic tests and looked on the web for solutions.  Finally, I was forced to take my motherboard outside of the case (it currently sits on top of a cardboard box) to look for an electrical short.  Note: It has been over 11 months now and the motherboard still rests on a cardboard box!

I think the real problem that I am having with the missing 2 GB of memory has something to do with the large and very heavy CPU Cooler that I have.  I think it might be warping the motherboard in some manner or it wasn't installed properly and it is causing a short (resulting in the missing 2GB of RAM).   Someday, I may try replacing the CPU cooler -- just not today.   

I doubt the CPU cooler is the problem.

I would check two things.  First check the type of memory against the motherboard specs to be sure the guy was using the correct memory for the MB  Second, look at your CMOS settings to see if the guy had settings to overclock the system.  If so, the memory may not work reliably.  I would restore the CMOS to defaults anyway just in case something else is screwing thinjgs up.  You never know what theguy may have done.