I had somewhat of a revelation recently while helping Annie with the computer. Just in the time that she and I have been dating, she’s learned a ton about computers. However, while her experience level has risen, her confidence has not risen (as much).
I think that is the essence of the difference between the so-called computer literate and illiterate.
While I would consider myself to be computer literate, and even to possess enough skills to be comfortable working in a computer tech support position, I don’t completely understand them. I’ve never written a program. I don’t entirely understand the relationship between the hardware and the software or even the relationship between the stuff on the computer I can see, and the binary code that I know underlies everything. What I have with the computer is not so much knowledge (”literacy”) as it is comfort.
I feel comfortable around computers. I believe this comes from having assembled components and installed programs “from scratch.” As a result of this, I know that no matter what I do to the computer, I can fix it (by reformatting and starting over). This grants me a certain level of comfort with trying things.
By trying things, I have gained experience. Experience which has given me some knowledge. For example, I recognize the Blue Screen of Death, and I know that the way to treat it most of the time is to simply reboot the computer. But my knowledge ends there. I don’t know what the Blue Screen of Death actually signifies, or what would cause it to appear on Annie’s computer. I just know from experience that if I reboot the computer, it will probably go away and not bother me anymore.
This is, of course, a simplification. My troubleshooting knowledge does go deeper than that, but it’s a good example of my point, which is that most of the knowledge or literacy I have with computers is a direct result of experience gained from having a high level of comfort around computers.
When Annie sees a Blue Screen of Death on her computer, she does not feel comfortable troubleshooting it. Even though in actuality, she knows just about the same amount about what it means as I do. I have more experience, but the real difference between us is that my comfort level with computers is higher.
I’ve discussed this with some geek friends and they all seem to agree that basically the difference between the computer literate and illiterate comes down to comfort levels.
I'm a 30-year-old 
Darrell Says:
Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at 11:59 pm.
I have noticed the same phenomena with girlfriends i have had… once the confidence level is there, and they are not afraid of "breaking" anything, they call on me for help less and less. In addition to confidence, i think computer literacy also stems from the recognition that essentially every windowed program has the same type of interface - buttons and menus - and that learning a particular program can be as simple as playing with those buttons and menus to see what they do.Computer literacy is also reflected by how many computer-related acronyms and terms you know and put in any given sentence. The more, the better.I know. That how I get my jobs. The following is an example:Interviewer:"So, tell me, what are some of your skills?"ME:"I revolutionize real-time relationships, reintermediate virtual e-services, strategize out-of-the-box architectures, and morph integrated mindshares. That’s what i do."Interviewer:"GENIUS!!You are hired!!"see ->http://www.dack.com/web/bullshit.html
Kris Says:
Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at 11:56 am.
Hahah…this is so me! ;-)"I utilize cutting-edge matrics to harness back-end infomediaries and synergize user-centric relationships."Translation: "I use MSOutlook to email my friends at work."
Kris Says:
Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at 12:00 pm.
The same can be said of any industry…- auto repair- medicine- law- salesetc…
KT Says:
Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at 12:30 pm.
hey, I do that, too…I’m snappy
scott Says:
Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at 12:49 pm.
this is true, but I think it’s particularly evident in computers… though maybe I just feel that way because I’m a computer geek.
hstink Says:
Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at 8:01 pm.
I think there’s a flip side to this though. Speaking from tech support roles and fixing computers for friends, it seems that while all computers ‘break’ every so often, it’s the literate folk’s computers that inexplicably ‘break’ more frequently =)There’s a fair bit of charm in the idea that computers are purely a tool, instead of a toy to play and experiment with - after all, should an average user really have to know what a BSOD is? Or how to solve an IRQ conflict? Or how to debug a DLL version conflict?I dunno, I think I’m just tired of uninstalling people’s ‘wicked new drivers’ in safe mode =)
stevePDX Says:
Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at 10:48 pm.
scott, i agree with 100% you!!!!also i’m drunkaghaha
the Blue Screen of Death Says:
Friday, March 16, 2001 at 11:39 am.
We are watching you, Carbon Unit.Fear is our ally. We sense much fear in puny fleshlings. You think your "reboot" can protect you. We are watching. Just try to download the new Winamp drivers. We shall see who laughs then.End transmission.
Ben the Steele Says:
Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at 8:08 pm.
Assuming you HAVE safe mode. I’ve run more Win2k repairs than I care to think about in the last few weeks…