Sociocorpus

The complaint I most commonly hear from people whose tech-savvy loved one, or other tame geek, has attempted to help them learn to use a computer is:

They did everything so fast that I didn’t have a chance of figuring out what they were actually doing.

The cure for this is extremely simple:

Don’t let them touch the computer.

Not the mouse, not the keyboard, and not even the screen. This forces the geek to find a way of assisting you to do the things that need to be done. Advanced users of this technique can even try not letting the geek point. Make them describe things in terms that you actually understand. Obviously this can be difficult so they will need to begin by taking an interest in you.

Tell me what you are trying to achieve.

Describe what you see on the screen.

Bear in mind that this does not apply to consulting. There are times when you want your geek to make the computer work, and to set it up to work in useful ways. Getting your internet connection configured, for example. So let them work away on the computer until it’s done. Make sure they tell you why they are doing stuff, but never mind about what or how.

How do you know whether it’s a matter for training or consulting? Simple again.

If it needs to be done more than once a week, it’s training.

Once you know all the stuff that needs to be done more than once a week, extend the period out to a month.