What's a website?

Contains_Mild_Peril

thewizard wrote: »

then you start the debate on who can and can't use it. Some old people know more than many of us here do. I know a 50 odd year old who knows way more than 90% of the people on MSE know about computers.

50 odd? Crikey, that's practically a dinosaur!
Seriously, I do agree with most of your post: you can't really explain properly without a demonstration. Most elderly people in first-world countries have at least some idea of what the internet is so it's not so much the basic concept that needs explaining, as how to use it to their benefit.

george1234567_2

thewizard wrote: »

......
You can't understand the risks of using a computer or connecting to the internet unless you've actually used one. You can't teach IT from a book at a desk without having a computer in front of you.
......

Yes, I agree with that comment, however, if the user is computer illiterate, they should be taught the basics first, and know a small part about them before they even think about going online... someone who says "whats a website?", is not a part of that group.

Im speaking from experience about this, someone I know (nearly age 70) just got his first computer, and the salesmen persuaded him to go online at the same time... a week later after clicking adverts for spyware software thinking it was a "critical error click here to fix" and infecting his PC with trojans, adware and goodness knows what else, his credit card details were used fraudulently.

So, people who do not know - allowed to use a computer, yes no problem... allowed to go online - no way!

Again, just my opinion...

thewizard

george1234567 wrote: »

Yes, I agree with that comment, however, if the user is computer illiterate, they should be taught the basics first, and know a small part about them before they even think about going online... someone who says "whats a website?", is not a part of that group.

Im speaking from experience about this, someone I know (nearly age 70) just got his first computer, and the salesmen persuaded him to go online at the same time... a week later after clicking adverts for spyware software thinking it was a "critical error click here to fix" and infecting his PC with trojans, adware and goodness knows what else, his credit card details were used fraudulently.

So, people who do not know - allowed to use a computer, yes no problem... allowed to go online - no way!

Again, just my opinion...

Partially, the cause of that problem lies with the salesman, he should of assessed the customer before offering the internet. Ok, yes they have to meet sales targets and they're all commission driven. But maybe they could of made more money by offering information on getting online?

The government wants all of us online by whatever year it is, maybe they should do something to help the people that don't know what their doing otherwise I seriously doubt they will ever go online again?

Contains_Mild_Peril wrote:

50 odd? Crikey, that's practically a dinosaur!

Say that to his face, you'd be that dinosaurs dinner

robin58

george1234567 wrote: »

(In *MY* opinion) Old people, or people who do not know about dangers/risks involved using a computer connected to the internet should not be allowed to connect to the internet at all.

Humm! I will be going over to the Silver Savers Forum in the new year!:eek: :eek:

I work in a cinema and we have got installed one of the current Digital Projectors. They updated the server part of it recently.

Got thrown at the deepend at work when having to learn how to programm it. Was learning how to programm it with manual in one hand whilst poking at touch screen interface with the other. I only found out later that I was reading the wrong manual!:rolleyes:

Was only using the difference between the old/new server manual.

Got it working though!!

Age personally has got nothing to do with it. It's if the receiving mind is inquizative enough to be able to go, seek and soak up the info.

I look at the internet as one big library. Where all the sites are books, the front page index are the chapters and the web pages, are pages from that book.

thewizard

robin58 wrote: »

Age personally has got nothing to do with it. It's if the receiving mind is inquizative enough to be able to go, seek and soak up the info.

That's what I was trying to say, but I couldn't put it any better than that.

And as for what I see the internet as: a tool that I can do almost anything with, its like a huge electronic swiss army knife that stretches across the globe.

Mandy_P_3

I usually describe it to elderly relatives as a newspaper or magazine which is displyed on the computer. I contains news, articles and adverts.

I also work in IT and no one in my family has a clue what I do for a living.

Aries

:beer: Why not introduce your elderly relatives to the Computor?
It will open up a new world to them,and keep the Brain active.
I am a 72 year old Woman and the Internet has changed my life.
no time to get bored because Im addicted to this site.
I am a very late starter with lots to learn,but I am very cautious about security when shopping on line.
Why not recycle your old PC s to an elderly reletive and give them this opportunity too.

foreversomeday

george1234567 wrote: »

Yes, I agree with that comment, however, if the user is computer illiterate, they should be taught the basics first, and know a small part about them before they even think about going online... someone who says "whats a website?", is not a part of that group.

Im speaking from experience about this, someone I know (nearly age 70) just got his first computer, and the salesmen persuaded him to go online at the same time... a week later after clicking adverts for spyware software thinking it was a "critical error click here to fix" and infecting his PC with trojans, adware and goodness knows what else, his credit card details were used fraudulently.

So, people who do not know - allowed to use a computer, yes no problem... allowed to go online - no way!

Again, just my opinion...

Knowing not to click silly adverts like that though should be part of basic computer training - most people know by now not to send off the letter you get in the post telling you you've won the Spanish Lottery or answer the nice man on the phone who offers you a free holiday for only £15 to cover processing.

Agreed the salesman shouldn't have encouraged him to go online without checking he knew what he was doing - but would you buy a car without knowing how to drive it (or intending to learn)?

Fran

Badger_Lady wrote: »

A website is a book ...

That was my first thought and probably all that a person who won't use a computer needs to know except that people can leave messages for each other to read and can contribute to the website/book.

thewizard wrote: »

...Some old people know more than many of us here do. I know a 50 odd year old who knows way more than 90% of the people on MSE know about computers.

This '50 odd year old' objects to being called 'old' (just wait till you are that age!). :mad:

Contains_Mild_Peril wrote: »

50 odd? Crikey, that's practically a dinosaur!

This dinosaur is not amused! :mad:

thewizard wrote: »

Say that to his face, you'd be that dinosaurs dinner

Don't assume all dinosaurs are male! :mad:

Aries wrote: »

:beer: Why not introduce your elderly relatives to the Computor?
It will open up a new world to them,and keep the Brain active.
I am a 72 year old Woman and the Internet has changed my life.

:T :T :T :T Hooray!!!!

thewizard

Fran wrote:

This '50 odd year old' objects to being called 'old' (just wait till you are that age!). :mad:

The 50 odd year old that I was taking about refers to himself as being old, so I can:p

Fran wrote:

Don't assume all dinosaurs are male! :mad:

I didn't say they were, but the one I'm on about is (read my other post that you quoted)