Once, everyone was a computer novice

Terrified of technology?

You are not alone. And there is help. Getting plugged in to the information revolution is easier than you think.

You may even find that it's fun.

Ask yourself what you want to get from your technology adventures. Do you want to track your stocks online? Do you want to keep up with the breaking news from around the world? Do you want to listen to music online? Or do you just want to e-mail your kids at college?

There are millions of people who cringe at the idea of looking something up on the Web or who rank the idea of installing software with jumping out of an airplane without a parachute.

Don't despair. No matter what your "computer geek" friends may tell you, everybody -- even your 6-year-old who may be in the living room working on his Web site as you read this -- was a computer novice once.

Really.

Whoa.

These are exerpts from my local conservative newspaper, and are an example of why people who know practically nothing about computers shouldn't be writing columns for "tech wise".

Of course, this also proves the point that newspapers are not keeping up with what's new in the "information revolution". This article is so filled with cliches it's painful to read.

And, I feel sorry for these people who equate installing software to a certain and painful death (ala jumping out of an airplane without a parachute). Perhaps the newspaper editors have personal experience with this type of extreme technological phobia?

As a piece of sage advice for real computer novices, one big important thing is to recognize who or what is the boss. Computers are built by thousands (or millions) of people (programmers, manufacturers, and so on). They're the ones that make the computer work and they intended the computer to run one way. Older computer newbies "think" they can use a computer some other way that can lead to the computer being broken, like putting checks in a floppy drive in The computer is NOT a check machine!. You can't do "your own thing" with a computer, just like you can't talk to a drill sergeant in any way except using the word "SIR!" at the end.

Children learn to use computers quicker because they're not used to past technology (the radio, older turntables, etc.) and they are not likely to be easily confused by older and newer things. They can learn that the computer is not a typewriter because they might not have known what is a typewriter.

In order for someone to learn how to use a computer, they should be drilled in computer common sense. It has nothing to do with the computing platform, but stuff like "make sure the computer is hooked up right before using." They should be broken down of their thinking that "they" are the master of logic. They should be taught to treat every step not with fear, but caution. They should not use a computer alone in their ignorant selves and have a computer buddy to go along with their work.