In the Beginning…　

      Nobody is born with the skills or knowledge to do everything. Pretty much, from infancy, we only know what we want, especially when it comes to eating and sleeping. Much of our life’s direction is in what inspires us, and our own curiosity that draws us in a certain direction. Along with our basic needs, the desire to know and do inspires us to learn something, from tricks to trades. “I don’t know how” is everyone’s starting point. So, when it comes to technology, it is the freedom to create that draws people to working with computers. I actually define the computer as simply, “To Create”. It is like starting with nothing, and building from there. Now, there is a natural Phenomena, called “knack”; when someone can fit things together like a jigsaw puzzle, or connect the dots.

The Art of Something Out of  Nothing

      So how does one get the initiative to work with something that seems to have so many activities, or as I say, “virtual moving pieces”? It is actually in several measures, and each one has to find what works for them, such as watching another person do it. Even the invention of the wheel caught on, when someone first tips that circular rock, and others watched in amazement, as it rolled from point a to point b. A few had to try it themselves! Another means of learning is being taught, which sometimes still leaves a person just “going through the motions”, and not knowing what to expect. The common ingredient in all trades and skills is what the individual expects as a final result, like arts and crafts. When it comes to technology, it takes imagination to make something out of nothing.

      Instructors still takes many through the motion, where you really need some concept of what a computer can do for you, and not what you have to do for it. One concept is by comparing this computer with other tools and utensils used in everyday life. I have tried to point out that this little machine is like a huge workshop, or a kitchen. All the tools of the trade are hidden, like in a kitchen where everything is placed in drawers. It is getting to know where the tools are that takes curiosity. As a workshop, a masculine term, the tools are in hidden shelves and cabinets.

      The computer not only has steps to get to tools, but it uses symbols (similar to pictures of real objects, such as scissors for cutting, and a square white sheet to represent a blank page, called “new”.

      The simplest concept is being used in reverse to what the computer initially can do…create. The computer is like a place to create, and it starts with doing it alone. Instead, everyone sees a computer as a communication tool, to instant message and email, which is actually an extension of what a computer can do. Yet, maybe this is for the best, since sometimes you may need information or assistance in whatever you, as an individual, are trying to create. Still, we all call on someone for this assistance first. The idea of internet connecting is the sharing of ideas, but initially, it was planned to obtain assistance in reference material and self study guides. If all else fails, yes, then it is beneficial to work with someone with this knowledge. In humor, the first person who found uses for a stick was an extension of their arm, or a means to scratch an itch. Others decided to use it first to hit things. Sticks serve both purposes, but it depends on what the person sees a use for a stick.

Self Help

      I just stated that much of the internet is a collection of sharing ideas and information. The search engines are in place to assist in getting a whole host of related information. It is a virtual library! Additionally, there are comments, opinions, and even pretty sound suggestions able to be found by just using a search engine. But the internet is not the first resource of information. Even before connecting to the internet, there is a library of support included in the operating system, called, “Help and Support”. Every program you open also includes a Help button, with its own Help search, definition, and glossary. All of this simply overlooked. Why? Because someone expects the computer to have it hidden somewhere within a few click. Have what hidden? Well, there is the problem; you need to have a concept, idea, or purpose for what you want it to do. Understanding what types of programs are available on the computer can be seen when you click the start program, and then click Programs. There has to be a sense of curiosity for some, but the names of many programs gives you an idea of what they will do, or can be used for. Sometimes you have to experiment and find a purpose for it in your life’s activities, pretty mush like tipping that stone on its side, and watching it roll. For the most part, the interest of what to do with a computer starts with what you want to get out of it, again, what you are out to create.

      Whether it is a craft, such as making a greeting card, or a project, like building an album of pictures, the idea actually starts with the individual, who imagines what something will look like when it is finished…thus, why I use the word, “Virtual”. Like a stick, it is up to you to use it as an extension to what you want to do, all the way to when you say it is finished. Warning: Don’t use it to hit something!

      Juggling takes practice, and the items tossed will not be caught, especially starting out. It takes practice. Building a table sounds easy, but getting a book on the subject of building tables adds to sturdiness, and saves from learning as you go. But, if you like to experiment, a computer is one of the best places to try something, since it is just an extension to what you imagine…until it is what you envision.

      From when we all were in elementary school, finger painting, and outlining our hand with a pencil or chalk was the first chance to create. The outlining of the hand became a craft project to make a turkey drawing for Thanksgiving. For some, it was something we had to do, because someone told us to. Others started experimenting, and enjoyed creating drawings, artwork, and even now tattoo art comes from the imagination, and not a stencil. All that experience took time to develop, and it pretty much goes for anything worthwhile in completing in life.

      The virtual world split some to just doing to see what it was, while others imagined it as a new way of writing, drawing, building libraries of information, and even applying it to everyday activities. For the majority, much of what is on the new computer is ignored, rather than explored. Others worry about breaking it, or why so many alert messages pop up. It does take time to get past the solid state days of turning it on, and having it do something useful. In fact, it has taken years for the development to make even PDA’s more alluring and interesting to the point where some have got to know what it can do. Others still see it as a way to pass the time, leaving it a toy to tinker with, instead of giving it vital purpose.

      So, where to start. I think to first thing pointed out is the games on every computer. Not to confirm that it is a toy, but instead, the first basic steps to getting comfortable with the devices, menus, and options. That’s the main reason that computers have games. Instruction or even curiosity can be explored in many of the games. The inner purpose is also to get you to work on your strategy of a game, rather than wonder what the next move is, or question if you are doing something wrong. The truth is, people see it as…games, and not a resource to experiment with. Lessons usually stop there.

The Help menu

      Did you know that almost every program has a help menu? If compared to a book, there is a table of contents, index, and even a referral (on computers, this is the search tab). Understanding the basic concepts and getting the most out of any computer can be found in using the help menu. Typically, by clicking on Help, you get a list of items to choose from, and the first thing on the list is typically the virtual reference book on that program…just like any other paper bound reference book. The rest of the list varies, and includes the latest version on the computer (listed typically as About the program, with support number to call or link to). Still it is the first thing on the list that gives you the resources that will get you started, and can be looked up any time you want to learn more.

      For the most part, opening up the programs help, the contents tab shows you a library that makes you wonder which one to start with. Start with the first one , then the second one, and so on. Even the computers operating system has in the first list that pops up after clicking the start button, is the Help and Support. From there, you can learn how to do everything with the machine, from updates, installing and removing programs, to maintenance and networking, to changing to windows appearance to suit your liking and give it personality. So, its back to the individual. What do you need to know? What do you want to do? What do you see as the final result?

Learn, and Then…Learn Some More

      Its down to wanting to learn again. But, like real life, anything worth accomplishing takes learning. For many there is not the time to learn, when it really comes down to learning a little at a time, from a quick five minute experimentation, to providing an hour a day to just learn something new. Generally the computer is a great learning tool. It also provides you with learning how to organize, take notes, plan project, calculate finances, develop visual talents such as art and photography, and store any type of information to recall at a later time. When, who knows, but there is a clock built in, and if you know a specific time, there is a task program, and on almost all some kind of calendar to use.

      You don’t want to go it alone? May I suggest a learning partner, or even a study group. You may even find groups, lessons, and projects to learn from by just searching the website. The initial concept of getting others to have a computer is to develop skill and create from the imagination, but in truth, there is know wrong way to develop a skill, except to not try at all.

      In the future, you find a program of interest, become curious, and explore. Ask questions about it. And, ask yourself how you can use it in your everyday life. Don’t set time to use it, instead, include it in your everyday activities, and find a purpose for it. Five minutes to a half hour at a time. Use it for notes. Make an appointment. Draw up an idea. Put your ideas in writing. Leave yourself a voice message. All of this can be done in one place, on the computer. Build a project. And, then improve upon it. Look at every program of some sort of reference tool, and find a purpose. And finally, learn something new. Something small. And when you understand it; learn some more. The secret ingredient is curiosity. So be curious. And when you are not sure, know that there is help. For the most part, it can be always found in the menu bar of every program.

      So, Don’t give up,Use Help!