Re: Viewing a .wmv in OS9?

On Mon, 3 Aug 2009 20:12:05 +0100, "Graham J"
<graham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

[snip]

Thanks for the hopes but I'm not sure what he thinks to be honest. He
was (is?) a pretty intelligent man, Ex Merchant Navy (Master on Oil
Tankers), is a Yacht Master (Foreign Going) so well traveled, was on
the board of the BSI, a semi-pro photographer and is very well read
and educated. However, he wasn't really into computers, they were
simply a tool for doing work (and for him really only DTP at that). He
does make a good Mac user though. Interested in every tiny detail and
I've been called round because 'his printers not working properly' and
it turned out a border was 2 mm to the left or some such.

It surprises me that so many elderly, hightly qualified, and apparently very
intelligent people struggle with computers (of any sort) even if they have
some experience as a user. I think it might be because they've never had to
solve problems themselves ...

Hmm, could be, or don't have the mind / aptitude for that sort of
thing, just as not everyone *want's* to service their own car or cook
their own dinner (even if they knew how to).

One of the things I used to say when IT training (and generally still
stand by) is "anyone can do anything if they want to". Now of course
that doesn't mean I could run 100m in under 10 seconds but I could run
it quicker than I could today if I practiced hard enough.

I have always had a mind for things practical. I had no interest in
the academic stuff at school but looked forward to anything practical.
Homework was often left undone (in spite of knowing I would get told
off by my parents and school) because I was rebuilding a bicycle or
canoe or some such.

When I met the Mrs she had never changed her cars engine oil let alone
assisted in the project of building a kit car. She'd never
re-plastered a wall, re-wired a house, shot a clay, ridden a 750cc
motorcycle or become a Radio Amateur. She did with me and even
suggested it was my confidence and support that allowed her to do such
things. I was just being me <shrug>. However, there are equally many
things she hasn't followed through therefore become good at as she's
simply not interested (eg. She's actually a good Archer but given the
free time would much, much rather be clay shooting or riding her
motorbike).

I am sometimes reminded how frustrating computers can be when trying
to do something I can do so easily on one OS then find I don't appear
to have a clue on another. I was equally frustrated with our 18 year
old daughter the other day when I was facilitating her with some
driving practice (pre test) and she questioned "which way" when it was
a road she must have driven or ridden (all be it mostly as a
passenger) 50 times before. She promptly reminded me I was 52 years
old was constantly asking *her* how to spell things ... ;-)

So in answer to your question I think it's *sometimes* just a lack of
interest (even though they may be good problem solvers in other
fields) and / or the lack of experience with 'technical things' (my
Mum and Dad are equally hopeless with the TV, HiFi, Mobile phones
etc). The TV being a good example of this 'lack of interest'. Dad
hit's the wrong button on the Freeview box and they both watch a
grainy, echoy analogue signal till I happen to go round next and spot
/ sort it. I look at the situation, try a few things on the remote(s)
and watch what happens. It makes perfect sense to me because I know
what's going on and that I didn't sort it they would rather get
someone in than learn how to deal with it themselves.

T i m


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