Returning Laptop to PC World when given without a box

bod1467

Chlorine7 wrote: »

Since you have no knowledge of my father's metal state

Your father is Iron Man? :eek:

shaun_from_Africa

Why mention his age then?

Probably because age is often a factor in how well people understand IT related subjects. (not always, and not the only factor, but still often one factor).

I work in an industry (aircraft maintenance) where computers have to be used when carrying out just about all maintenance related activities, and with only one exception that I can think of, the only people who generally have problems with the computer systems are those who are getting close to retirement age.

The problems are not due to their age related medical problems but more down to the fact that people of this age were not brought up using computers at school or college, using computers for social networking, gaming etc.

Many people of this age are far better than youngsters at mental and written arithmetic and the correct use of written and spoken English. Does this mean that I am insulting younger people by stating this?
Of course it doesn't. It simply means that I am pointing out something from my personal experience.

MamaMoo_2

My grandad was 70 this year. He wouldn't have the foggiest idea of how to work a computer beyond turning it on and sending an email using outlook.
My OH's nan is nearly 90. She probably knows more about PCs than me, but then with her kids living abroad, she asked the grand kids to teach her, and also took some lessons at the local college!

The point is, some of the older generation will never have had to deal with computers during their lifetime, so will have little or no knowledge of what is advantageous when they go to buy a new computer.
The OP knows her own father and will know whether he fits into the category of "tech savvy" or not.
I don't think it's unreasonable to think that the older generation can be easily taken advantage of due to their age.

I'm 24, OH is 25, we've just bought a car. Neither of us had a clue what we were after so I had to bring along my dad and grandad to look at what I was buying and help. Honestly, I just wanted what looked prettiest in budget, husband wanted something in his favourite colour. Without my dad/grandad, I dread to think of the pile of cack we would have ended up with. This is because we're young and have never really bothered to gain any knowledge about cars as we haven't needed to.

It's the same with my grandad and computers, he spent his life in the army, then working manual jobs, nothing that ever needed computer knowledge. He also had no need to learn, and no desire, so he didn't.
He constantly blames his confusion of "not being of that computer generation".
OH's nan? Bothered to learn to keep in touch with the kids/grand kids/great grand kids, and enjoyed the little bit she learned, so spent more time learning.

Anyway, what I'm saying is, OP knows her father. Assuming a 65 year old doesn't know much about computers due to their age isn't a particularly silly assumption as people that age will not have grown up around the technology and many will not have needed to learn later in life.

Weyoun

"A digital native is a person who was born during or after the general introduction of digital technologies and through interacting with digital technology from an early age, has a greater understanding of its concepts."

"The opposite of digital native is digital immigrant, an individual who was born before the existence of digital technology and adopted it to some extent later in life."

From the fount of all knowledge, Wikipedia.

Bantex_2

Buying a laptop is not exactly leading edge technology.

OlliesDad

Bantex wrote: »

Buying a laptop is not exactly leading edge technology.

To somebody without experience, yes it is. Without researching particular models, it can be a minefield.

Bantex_2

OlliesDad wrote: »

To somebody without experience, yes it is. Without researching particular models, it can be a minefield.

Which the vast majority of 65 year olds are more than capable of doing.

OlliesDad

Bantex wrote: »

Which the vast majority of 65 year olds are more than capable of doing.

Absolutely.. and it appears in this case he has done by asking somebody with more knowledge for their opinion.

Chlorine7

bod1467 wrote: »

Your father is Iron Man? :eek:

That would be amazing!

eskimo26

Hate going into PC World, its like entering a Hyena hunting ground.

Ditto for the mobile stores. Quite disgusting really but apparently completely acceptable. :mad: