Why are computers still so difficult to use?

Add newsletters@cnet.online.com to your address book to ensure CNET newsletters reach your inbox.

	View online  | Share on Facebook	February 18, 2011

	Why are computers still so difficult to use? Dear CNET members, Happy Friday! I am absolutely ecstatic about the turnout we had in response to Ronald's call for help in his final university project. We received more than 100 member responses to his survey. And if that isn't enough to get you started, Ronald, I'm not too sure what will be. What I love about our members is that when others need help, each week you pull together and really make a difference in someone else's life. While this week's topic was a bit different than the usual tech help, I was not only impressed by the shared responses, but I learned a little about each one of you. Your answers were entertaining and a joy to read. I saw many new faces in this week's discussion and I thank you for coming out to join us. If you haven't participated yet, it's never too late to get your answers in. As I was preparing this newsletter, Ronald happened to e-mail me and he wanted to thank you for your contributions and share this with you. Thank you, Ronald, for posting in your discussion topic. It's always a treat to hear back from the person asking for help! For those of you just joining us, grab a comfy chair and a large cup of java, and dive in to what all our members have shared with us on the topic of "Why computers are so difficult to use?" Again, a big thank you for all your contributions! Have a beautiful weekend, everyone. Cheers! - Lee Got suggestions? Send me an e-mail: messageboards@cnet.com Lee Koo CNET Community manager Last week's question Why are computers still so difficult to use? Hi, Lee, I know this is not the technical question you normally receive, but I was hoping you can have your community members help me out in a big way. As a final year college student I need to carry out an independent project looking at an issue in the domain of my subject. I chose the question, "Why are computers still so difficult to use?" To start my project I compiled several questions to explore experiences of computer users (see below). A summary of what I am wanting to look at are competency levels of users with computers, how they got into using them, the time they?ll spend on them in a day, their challenges and how they manage them, their happiness in using them, their thoughts on the increasing functionality/pervasiveness of computers... Click here to continue reading -- Submitted by: Ronald G. of Warwick University, in the United Kingdom  Please read all member contributions  Thanks to all who contributed! Previous questions and answers 1. Please help! I cannot access my external drive. 2. Should we be concerned about viruses on our smartphones? 3. What's the latest in wireless router technology? 4. My system is dragging; do I have a memory leak? 5. Pros and cons of using an HDTV for computing  All previous Community newsletters Community buzz 1. Phone scam victim 2. Windows 7: 32-bit or 64-bit? 3. Multiple antivirus programs, what's too much? 4. Uninstall Adobe Flash player V.10.1 before installing 10.2? 5. How to choose a first computer for a small child? 6. New PC what is most important: Processor, memory, or hard drive? 7. Desktop PC: Waiting vs. buying now? 8. Added new RAM, now performance is worse  More from the CNET forums Mac nugget 1. Will MS Office 2011 for Mac run on a G4 Power Mac running OS 10.5.8? 2. Kernel panic on Mac Pro-need a fix, pronto! 3. Disable auto login from terminal  More from the Mac OS forum Security alerts and updates 1. Security news - February 18, 2011 2. Updates - February 18, 2011 3. Vulnerabilities and fixes - February 18, 2011  More from the security forum Check out next week's question: My computer has fallen asleep and it won't wake up! I have a perplexing situation with my three-year-old Toshiba laptop. If I resume working after allowing the computer to hibernate, a bit after that (maybe 10 minutes) the screen goes blank--no mouse--no background. Hitting Ctrl+Alt+Delete does not bring up the Task Manager. Nothing I do seems to work except physically shutting the on/off switch, waiting a bit, and rebooting. I get a message upon reboot that the machine was not shut down properly. The machine has an AMD 64 X2 Athlon processor 1.7Gb. I have 2 GB of RAM installed and Windows 7 Home premium. The drivers seem to be all up to date. I have an active antivirus/firewall running. What would cause such a problem? Any suggestions in solving the issue? This is driving me nuts. If I don't allow the computer to hibernate, I can run it all day without any problems. Thank you in advance. -- Submitted by: Robert F.   If you have an answer to this question, click here and click the "reply" to submit your advice, suggestions/opinions, or tips. Have a tech-related question? Click here to e-mail us on one of these topics: · PC troubleshooting · PC upgrading · Digital music · Consumer electronics · Multimedia · Internet security · Digital cameras · Home audio & video Need help tech right away? Don't wait for us, post your questions in the CNET forums for all the tech help and how-tos. Community quick poll Weigh in on this week poll topic! When working with a computer, what do you fear most about it? And why? (Please click on button to vote)  Getting infected by a virus, Trojan, or any malware. (Why?)  Losing my important data. (Why should you be if you have a backup?)  Getting hacked. (Where are your security apps?)  Screwing something up and rendering it useless. (Is your data backed up?)  Not having one at all. (Please explain.)  Other fears? (What is it?) Vote and discuss it here! Simple question, simple answer 1. Windows 7 keeps deleting system restore points 2. Will software makers cancel a key code and issue a new one? 3. Slow data transfer speed, external to external 4. Sync AT&T iPhone (3G S) to a Verizon iPhone 4? Help your fellow members 1. System freezes intermittently, tried everything I know of 2. Cursor keeps highlighting everything 3. Help! The printer ink costs are killing me! 4. Digital camera: Replacing a LCD screen and broke copper wires in process. More from the CNET forums  Windows 7  Windows XP  Digital cameras  Desktops  Laptops  MP3 players  Home audio & video  Spyware, viruses, & security  View all forums M A R K E T P L A C E Ads By Marchex
	The e-mail address for this newsletter is anw4r.rahman.younkcirhil@blogger.com. Click here to manage your newsletters, including this one. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please unsubscribe. Privacy statement CNET Networks takes your privacy seriously. Because we gather certain types of information about our users, we want you to clearly understand the terms and conditions surrounding the collection and use of this information. We encourage you to review our privacy policy (updated). Copyright 2011 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. CBS Interactive, 235 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, U.S.A.