I was in my first computer class in my late sixties. The teenage instructor told us to “go to cell 8b and write click”. I wrote it several times, and couldn’t get the computer to do anything, but it definitely gave the instructor the best laugh he’d had in a while.
Reminds me of the class I was asked to take on the history of automated data processing. Long story. But the first moment of class, the instructor said, “This is a class on the history of data processing. It is not a class on how to use your computer. But the most common critique I get on evaluations is, ‘I spent three days in this class and I still don’t know how to turn on my damn computer.’ So watch carefully, this is the first, last, and only time I will show you this. [displaying an IBM PC — the story is that old] This is your damn computer. Back here on the damn right side is the damn power switch. Push the damn switch up to turn on the damn computer; push the damn switch down to turn off the damn computer. That’s how you turn on your damn computer; now let’s get on with the damn class.” I thought, “This is gonna be a long damn three days…”
An old coworker used to run a help desk where a sign was posted on the wall (and changed daily) indicating “TODAY’S ANY KEY IS:” so that when clueless lusers called in saying “My computer says, ‘Press any key to continue.’ Where’s the Any key?” they had an answer.
Diane Lee Premium Member over 8 years ago
I was in my first computer class in my late sixties. The teenage instructor told us to “go to cell 8b and write click”. I wrote it several times, and couldn’t get the computer to do anything, but it definitely gave the instructor the best laugh he’d had in a while.
K M over 8 years ago
Reminds me of the class I was asked to take on the history of automated data processing. Long story. But the first moment of class, the instructor said, “This is a class on the history of data processing. It is not a class on how to use your computer. But the most common critique I get on evaluations is, ‘I spent three days in this class and I still don’t know how to turn on my damn computer.’ So watch carefully, this is the first, last, and only time I will show you this. [displaying an IBM PC — the story is that old] This is your damn computer. Back here on the damn right side is the damn power switch. Push the damn switch up to turn on the damn computer; push the damn switch down to turn off the damn computer. That’s how you turn on your damn computer; now let’s get on with the damn class.” I thought, “This is gonna be a long damn three days…”
K M over 8 years ago
An old coworker used to run a help desk where a sign was posted on the wall (and changed daily) indicating “TODAY’S ANY KEY IS:” so that when clueless lusers called in saying “My computer says, ‘Press any key to continue.’ Where’s the Any key?” they had an answer.