In my line of work, I come across all types of computer users. The ones who know what they're doing and the ones who are scared to turn their computers off.
I work with customer's who use Windows-based PCs, so that's what I'll be talking about. Not that I don't like Apple, I just don't work with them or use them.
This entry, will refer to the latter. What I call "remedial computer users". These people tend to only use their computers for checking "the Facebook", "the email", and using "the Google". They don't know what a monitor is and think their modem is the computer tower. Basically, they're the ones tech support people fear when they call in, because as soon as this user's catch phrase of "I'm computer illiterate", we know this is going to be a long call. We will have to describe everything to them in excruciating detail.
Tech Support: Please open your start menu for me.
Customer: My what? Where is that?
Tech Support: It's in your lower left hand corner of your screen. It may have the word start on it or it might be a button in the shape of a circle with a Windows flag on it.
Customer: I don't see anything there.
Tech Support: Look in the lower left hand corner of your screen. Tell me what you see.
Customer: A green button with the word 'start' on it.
Tech Support: (mental facepalm)
I encounter that at least once a day. It just makes me sad. But then I got to thinking, maybe I should teach a class at the local community college in remedial computers. I envision this is what it would look like in the college continuing education catalog.
Course Title: Remedial Computers
Course Description: Are you scared of technology? Do you have no clue how people use these computer things? Are you the person who always tells tech support when you call them that you're computer illiterate? If so, then this is the class for you. Learn the difference between the computer tower, the computer monitor, the keyboard, and even the mouse.
Course Price: $75 (Because you'd be willing to pay this much since you're too lazy to read the book that came with your computer or do some basic searching online to get your answers)
Classes will be held Thursdays at 6pm for 5 weeks.
Week 1: Learn the what all the basic computer components. Including, the computer tower, the monitor, the keyboard, the mouse, the modem, and a router.
Week 2: Learn where the power buttons are on your computer and monitor. Learn how to turn the computer on and off successfully.
Week 3: Learn what all those things are on your screen that is called your "desktop".
Week 4: Learn the names of different internet browsers and why Internet Explorer sucks.
Week 5: Learn how to check 'the email', go on 'the Facebook', and how to use the address bar to type in website addresses and the search bar to search.
