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How do i teach my dad how to use a computer?

  • 05-09-2010 11:11am
    #1
    hello932
    Closed Accounts Posts: 325 ✭✭


    Thinking about teaching him how to use ubuntu 10.04-basic stuff like browsing the net and watching dvd's-are there ant special books or online links to show him this stuff or will my own knowledge suffice?


Comments

  • #2
    Dorsanty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 535 ✭✭✭Dorsanty


    Your own knowledge should suffice for basic user training.

    If he'll have access to the machine when you aren't around try to setup the machine to auto-login when it turns on, also setup some useful desktop or taskbar application icons, one for browsing, one for e-mail, one for music, one for video/dvd.

    Show him how to do the tasks he'll want to repeat most often i.e. get to a search engine page, search, load website, get back to list of search results, etc. I have found that if the task you teach is only something that is done once a month or so, then you'll be on the receiving end of lots of phone calls for support. So if your Dad has a hobbie which the internet could help him with, show him how the internet has a world of info on it and that'll get him well enthusiastic for it.

    Another key one is saving stuff from the internet and finding it again later on the computer. So try to enlighten him as to the layout of the home directory i.e. one folder for music, one for video, one for documents, one for downloads, etc. All too often I see my parent's download folder with 4 or more copies of the same thing. :rolleyes:


  • #3
    davenewt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 482 ✭✭davenewt


    If you're not always around to show him how things work in person, install something like LogMeIn Free on his computer and make it easy to run via icon on the desktop. Then when he has a problem u can remote in and talk him through stuff while he does it. No need for him to try and explain, or for you to try and understand, any issues via phone or email :)

    Definitely make everything very straightforward to access. My dad's browser defaults to gmail and auto logs in so his email is easy to get to (it's what he uses most)

    +1 for showing them the basics of how files and folders are organised.

    Also try to explain the difference between double clicking a file to open it, but only single clicking a web link :-) Mind you, there's a lot of younger people in my office who still don't understand that concept :)

    Let us know how u get on


  • #4
    pljudge321
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭pljudge321


    davenewt wrote: »
    If you're not always around to show him how things work in person, install something like LogMeIn Free on his computer and make it easy to run via icon on the desktop. Then when he has a problem u can remote in and talk him through stuff while he does it. No need for him to try and explain, or for you to try and understand, any issues via phone or email :)

    I don't think that works on Ubuntu. Apart from that maybe install the netbook remix version or add a large dock with a few icons that always shows on screen so he always knows how to get to the most important things. Then of course like Dave said set firefox or chrome's homepage as his e-mail and google.


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