| It's hard to believe that there are people in today's | | | | introduced him to Computer Automated Engineering |
| workforce who don't know how to use a computer. | | | | (CAE). I showed him how to drag electronic |
| In today's society, being computer illiterate is | | | | components from a library, use the mouse to draw |
| equivalent to being functionally illiterate. Obviously no | | | | circuit paths, make the computer simulate the |
| one reading this article is computer illiterate, but | | | | function of the circuit, and then make the computer |
| maybe you know someone who thinks they can | | | | layout a pc board for the circuit.He was able to easily |
| avoid computers and still be successful at work.Let | | | | master complex technology because he now |
| me tell you a story about a good friend of mine back | | | | understood that he wasn't stupid. Computers ARE |
| when I worked at Motorola. The company moved | | | | complex. When he needed help, he studied the help |
| the manufacturing of automobile alternators offshore, | | | | files or asked someone for help. Eventually, his CAE |
| resulting in his transfer to my department. Although | | | | skills became known and I lost him to another |
| he had about 20 years with the company, this was | | | | manager. "His last stop before being booted out the |
| to be his last stop before being booted out the | | | | door?" I don't think so. There's no way Motorola is |
| door.He was assigned to me as an Electronics | | | | going to let this valuable employee get away.Even |
| Technician, and the first assignment that I gave him | | | | though it's the programmers fault that computers |
| was to lay out a small printed circuit (pc) board. It | | | | and software are too complex, that doesn't relieve |
| was a tiny circuit for a tester, so computer drafting | | | | you of all responsibility. You must make an effort. |
| was not required. He could just sketch it out on | | | | Like my friend at Motorola, you must study the help |
| paper. After several days, he came back to me | | | | files or ask someone for help when you need it. Not |
| explaining that he didn't have the technical ability to | | | | only must you study the help files, but you must also |
| lay out a pc board.An Electronics Technician that | | | | be willing to "try things".Many people fear that if they |
| couldn't lay out a simple pc board? Don't all Electronics | | | | click on the wrong thing, the computer will blow up |
| Technicians make little hobby circuits at home? At | | | | and they will be blamed for it. A properly designed |
| least all the technicians I knew did.I explained that he | | | | software application prevents the user from making |
| needed to draw outlines of the components and | | | | a fatal mistake, either by making it impossible, or by |
| then use the schematic to draw lines between the | | | | providing a warning message. A properly designed |
| components connections. Then, maybe rearrange the | | | | application lets the user "back out of" or reverse any |
| components if that would result in fewer crossing | | | | action. One of the best ways to learn is to "try |
| paths. I also explained something much more | | | | things". If the computer blow ups because you made |
| profound, how to deal with the complexity of | | | | a mistake, you're using improperly designed |
| technology.Many people, when they come into | | | | software.When you're learning how to perform a |
| contact with technology, consider themselves too | | | | function with a computer, if you expect you may |
| stupid to deal with it. Technology is only for geniuses | | | | need to perform that same function again, take |
| and geeks. Sometimes technology is too complex, | | | | notes. No one will think you're stupid if you take |
| but it's not because people are stupid, it's because | | | | notes. But if you keep asking over and over again |
| the technology is poorly designed.For example, take | | | | how to perform the same function, they will think |
| software, like a graphics program, spreadsheet or | | | | you're too stupid to take notes.When I worked at |
| database. Is the intended user of the software a | | | | Motorola, I used a technique called "strokes" to make |
| computer programmer, or an average person? These | | | | symbols appear and move around the computer |
| applications are intended for use by an average | | | | screen like magic. Some people called me the |
| person. If an application is too complex for the | | | | "Electronic God". How did I get so good? I tried |
| average person, the application is at fault - not the | | | | things. I failed. I studied. I tried again. I understood |
| user.Why are most computers and software | | | | that technology IS complex. So what?In today's |
| applications too complex for the average person? | | | | society, being computer illiterate is equivalent to being |
| Because they are designed by programmers who are | | | | functionally illiterate. Make the effort to study the |
| under pressure to get the product out the door. | | | | help files and to "try things". Don't get discouraged or |
| Does the application have simple, easy-to-use help | | | | blame yourself if you don't succeed on the first try. |
| files? Software developers consider help files even | | | | The computer won't blow up if you make a mistake. |
| less important than application usability.- The bottom | | | | You can't be successful at work if you fail to |
| line is, people are not stupid - computers and | | | | embrace computers and technology.Copyright(C) |
| software applications ARE too complex.In today's | | | | 2004 Bucaro TecHelp.Permission is granted for the |
| world, where workers are required to use computers | | | | below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for |
| and technology, how can they deal with the | | | | ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or |
| complexity? Back to the story about my friend at | | | | part of a product for sale as long as no changes are |
| Motorola.After receiving my instructions, he | | | | made and the byline, copyright, and the resource box |
| successfully completed the pc board layout. I then | | | | below is included. |