Yesterday I spotted a newspaper column by a John Tierney (The New York Times) where Mr. Tierney spoke of the frustration we often experience when dealing with “smart” machines.  He even went so far as to follow a design engineer though an electronics store.  The engineer was perplexed to find that several of his original designs had been altered before market making them confusing and often not user friendly.  Yes, Christmas is a solemn time, but you can’t deny that a great many of these gadgets are going to be under trees Tuesday morning.  It’s my guess that in many families nothing says “I love you!” like a new home computing system. 
The Washington Post has a man assigned to assist you.  A link to his efforts is included.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/19/AR2007121902478.html?nav=most_emailed_emailafriend
The easiest system I ever worked with was an old Mac 8.6.  It’s still in working order and surprisingly agile for its advanced age.  I’m giving it to a niece.  The old Mac was replaced by a Dell 1501, which was going to be much more compatible with my job.  Much like the people who just want the engine to turn-over when they start the car and know little of how it works I couldn’t have gotten the Dell up and running without the assistance of our morning news anchor.  It should be noted she has performed miracles for all the computer illiterates in the building, which means just about all of us. 
If the Post column doesn’t help perhaps she has a new career after Christmas in home computing consulting.
It isn’t as if technology confusion is a new issue.  When my dad and Uncle Louie were little boys during the Great Depression they received scant gifts at Christmas but when they got new toys they were elated.  One year they both found cast iron miniature fire engines beneath the tree.  The engines could hold a thimble or so of water and eject it through a hose.  Early reality toys were still very simple contractions and yet for little boys in isolated Lewis Run, Pennsylvania it was the equivalent of the Millennium Falcon. 
Have you ever heard of the great Lewis Run fire?  The old timers still share the stories about the valiant efforts at containment.  It was started by two little boys testing toy fire engines.
Yes, it’s good to have some instruction when it comes to new gadgets.
 

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