Generations Talking Computers

[mouseman]

Here's a non-linguist's observation ... (warning: non-professional driver on a non-closed track; kids don't try this at home

Comments

[therealjae]

I hadn't noticed this per se, but I found myself nodding as I read this! Good analysis.

-J

[therealjae]

P.S. It might interest you to know that 'google' is a verb not just in English, but in the other two languages I use daily as well.

[mouseman]

Thanks, although I think so far it's more about amateur observation than quality data gathering and analysis at the moment. :)

It would be fun to see a paper about it. I did find this parody article. This is something that is a little difficult to google on. What search terms would you use?

[jillybean74]

My mother has a major problem with distinguishing between media libraries and where the media is actually located on her computer. For example, she uses a program called Zoombrowser (which I hate with a passion) to manage her picture library, which is organized in a way that makes my head spin. Anyway, sometimes in help sessions I ask her to go to where the pictures are, and she says things to the effect of "The pictures are in Zoombrowser." Now the weird part is that I KNOW she understands this concept of library and indexing, but she defaults back to the idea that the files are located IN the program. She sometimes does this with music, docs, and her finances, which she tracks with MSMoney.

Does that count? I dunno.

I have a 90 year old grandma who I've set up a computer for. She uses it for playing scrabble and emailing the kids. Her understanding is absolutely rudimentary compared to my mom, who is actually a pretty good computer user.

[mouseman]

Yeah, that's another concept I didn't think about. Interesting. I was distinguishing mostly between "in the machine" vs "in the software", but then within the two of those there are a number of other concepts. I wonder if this location problem you mention is something that is mostly adults, or to others, as well.

I think when people deal with software, they build a conceptual model in their brains of how the software is organized. The model is never perfect or as detailed as the actual software (even for the software developers, because any useful software programs are typically too big to be completely understood by one person). But certain classes of mistakes in building conceptual models seem to be common.

There is probably a difference in the language people use to talk about software and the concepts they actually understand. Maybe your mom's mistakes are not a mistake in her understanding of the concepts, but just a problem in communicating the ideas? (I don't think it would be likely, but I might be wrong.)

[jillybean74]

Maybe your mom's mistakes are not a mistake in her understanding of the concepts, but just a problem in communicating the ideas? (I don't think it would be likely, but I might be wrong.)

I think that's exactly right, actually. She fully understands that the files aren't located there, but she always says it anyway! It's a bit funny. Sometimes aggrevating. :)

I bet there are studies that focus on differences in conceptual understanding of computers between older and younger generations.

[therealjae]

I have a hard time with this one, too. I mean, I know how it works, but I find it so frustrating that there are TWO possible points of failure with a wireless internet connection, and your computer only gives you information about one of them.

-J

[buhrger]

similarly, one says one is going "to church", but not "to office". (and saying "i'm going to the home" would mean something very different from "i'm going home"...