Someone asked me:
<< if i am afraid of computers - which phobia do i have? >>
My guess is that "Cyberphobia" is the word for fear of computers, or fear of computer-like devices? A person who is afraid of the computer would be a "Cyberphobic."
But, if you give the computer a chance, you will find that computers are a lot less to be afraid of than you thought.
My mother, Arleen, didn't get her first computer until after my Dad passed away. She was 70 when she got her first computer.
She was afraid at first, because she remembered how much trouble Dad had when he got his first computer at age 60, but Dad had to struggle because computers were not as easy to use in those days. That was in the dark ages, before Windows was able to let in the light, making it easier. (I love making puns about Windows).
Before she got her computer, Mom had been the type who would save things like setting digital stopwatches for when I came home for a visit. It used to drive her crazy, because the grandkids would set the alarm, and for weeks after they went home, the alarm would go off every day at the same time. I would come home for a visit and reset the time and turn off the alarm for her. She thought that computers would be as hard to understand as that timer.
But Mom, at 70, very quickly got used to Windows. She plays games every night, sends and receives e-mail, to and from friends and relatives, almost every day. Every week or so, she uses the word processor to compose and print letters to her computerless friends. At least once a year, she uses the spreadsheet to prepare her tax summaries out of her checkbook. She still has questions for me once in awhile, but that's okay.
If my mom, who knew practically nothing about machines, could learn to use the computer, so can you. Don't worry about whether you'll do a perfect job of using a computer, just go into it meaning to have FUN. It's okay to ask questions of family or friends. They'll be delighted to help you. Perhaps a community college or senior center has a set of free classes to introduce you to the computer.
I bet you'll love it.
John
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