Frustration with Computers
Interpersonal Computing and Technology
Hi everybody,
I'm looking for a good advice what to do with my frustratins working with
computer. Is that possible that the machine causes such negative feelings
in me or is that only projection of something deeper? I'll be very
thankful for every good advice!
Interpersonal Computing and Technology
Dear Vlatko,
You are not alone in your frustration. I see you have a mason1 address,
and assume you go to GMU. If so, you can call the help desk at 993-8870
with specific problems. The SUB I copy shop has reference packets
available at low cost, or you can type man and the program or the command at
the mason1 prompt for on-line manuals (i.e., mason1> man gopher [ENTER]).
Unlike other languages, computerese is a rigid and unforgiving tongue.
If you fail to use the right command or syntax, either nothing happens or
something unexpected and possibly disasterous does. Fear and frustration
are natural reactions. My best advice is to find a good mentor, whether
in the form of a book or person.
I don't know what specific problems you're having, but if it involves WP,
DBAse, or simple applications I might be able to help.
Happy Friday!
Grace Morello
Interpersonal Computing and Technology
Vlatko:
Hang in there. I empathize with you! Frustration is just one
variable that can and will be overcome with being tenacious. In the
"computer field", some people ( without stereotyping) nerdies/instructors
forget the human factor when dealing with students. It is a lot safer to
"fire" at a student via an electronic medium, however,when you confront
and proactively address the issue one to one, the results for the most
part are rewarding. On Sat, 29 Oct 1994,
Interpersonal Computing and Technology wrote:
> From: Vlatko Gagic <vga...@mason1.gmu.edu>
>
> Thanks everybody for your encouragements. I like to work with computers,
> but is that really necessery (a part of learning process) that one is
> sometimes frustrated? How much the intensity of frustration depends from
> the instructor? My learning was never asossiated with such negative
> feelings and resulting agressions, but perhaps is that in this particular
> field normal?
>
Interpersonal Computing and Technology
On Fri, 28 Oct 1994, Interpersonal Computing and Technology wrote:
> From: Jennifer L Oehler <joe...@mason1.gmu.edu>
>
> On Fri, 28 Oct 1994, Interpersonal Computing and Technology wrote:
>
> > From: Vlatko Gagic <vga...@mason1.gmu.edu>
> >
> > Hi everybody,
> > I'm looking for a good advice what to do with my frustratins working with
> > computer. Is that possible that the machine causes such negative feelings
> > in me or is that only projection of something deeper? I'll be very
> > thankful for every good advice!
> >
> Take it from me, IT IS POSSIBLE for your computer to cause frustration.
> It isn't a projection of something deeper. Unfortunetly, I don't have
> too much advice for you, when I get frustrated, I turn the computer off
> and try it again later.... or as my professer advises, when it does work,
> crack a beer and enjoy!!
> Jennifer
>
Whatever you do, don't get frustrated! I'll never publicly admit that
I'm a "nerd" but a mere "student." I'm always learning how something
works on the net, it always changes. Yes, crack a beer- possibly two!!
-Craig
Interpersonal Computing and Technology
The various comments about the frustrations of computing seem to be
reaching a consensus that the problem is in the presentation of the
knowledge and that there is at least the potential of a frustration free
route to understanding and enlightenment. I don't think so.
I discuss the frustration issue in my introductory class to computer
science majors. This is usually a mixture of self-taught hackers come to
formalize their credentials and truely raw recruits. The experienced
ones nod in agreement when I tell it like it is: the frustration is an
inherent part of the creative process in programming. The only time one
stops experiencing it is when one stops advancing. I don't know if
that's true in other problem-solving / creative domains as much as in
computing (any opinions?) but the computing environment seems uniquely able
to shake one to the core. Perhaps it's the failure of the 'other side'
to show any matching emotional escalation; maybe it's the knowledge that
there is a pattern to be grasped and controlled and you are quite
demonstrably incapable of grasping it. Whatever it is, it still happens
after years of experience. At peaks of frustration, I still come to
questioning my choice of career even. I know now that the feelings will
pass but it doesn't protect me from experiencing them.
Anyway, better preparation, better programs, better training may change
the points of crisis but I don't believe they can be eliminated. Before
you can experience the 'aha' of a paradigm shift, of an insight, you have
to be confronted with a pack of glaring inconsistencies and in the
supposedly rational cybernetic world, that can be very very galling.
Dave Goforth
Interpersonal Computing and Technology
On Sat, 29 Oct 1994, Interpersonal Computing and Technology wrote:
> From: Vlatko Gagic <vga...@mason1.gmu.edu>
>
> Thanks everybody for your encouragements. I like to work with computers,
> but is that really necessery (a part of learning process) that one is
> sometimes frustrated? How much the intensity of frustration depends from
> the instructor? My learning was never asossiated with such negative
> feelings and resulting agressions, but perhaps is that in this particular
> field normal?
>
I feel the same way...i too get frustrated. I don't think it's the class
materials but the way it is taught. It's fine to use the
computer/internet for classes...but there is still no substitute for
clear cut examples and hands on approach.
one of the problems of teaching in cyberspace is the fact that there are
so many ways of accomplishing a task, and one way is not necessarily
better than the other. The question then becomes...is there a right way
to teach or learn from such a class? What are the right tools to teach?
or is 'planned obsolescence' factored in already in the class?
i have not given up hope yet. on the contrary, i believe there is a lot
of future in this type of learning.
tony lustre
senior telecomm engineer
gmu
Interpersonal Computing and Technology
>
> Whatever you do, don't get frustrated! I'll never publicly admit that
> I'm a "nerd" but a mere "student." I'm always learning how something
> works on the net, it always changes. Yes, crack a beer- possibly two!!
> -Craig
>
From: vgagic@gmu edu
Are you joking with me Craig? I'm really interested how to "don't get
frustrated?" If I could control frustration, than it would be no more
the problem for me! It would be very usefull for all "nerds" if you would
tell us your secret.
I have formulated my question about frustration as my problem, but
everybody knows that frustration is OUR problem. We can't control our
emotions, we can only learn to live with them. How do you live with
your frustrations? Bier doesn't help everybody.
Another aspect of the whole problem has to do with simplicity of the
solution of the problem. I have lost many days trying to accomplish
some tasks by myself, without any results. With help from lab consultant
task was ready in a few minutes. My question is now simply: why all
those lost hours and days? Do you see something positive in all this
frustrations and headaches?
Interpersonal Computing and Technology
vgagic said:
> I'm looking for a good advice what to do with my frustratins working with
> computer. Is that possible that the machine causes such negative feelings
> in me or is that only projection of something deeper?
There is light at the end of the tunnel. One of my M.Sc. students did
a survey of attitudes to computers held by people who had spent a
year on a basic IT literacy course for the unemployed. At the end of
a year, more than 90% said either that computers were easier to use
than they had thought, or that they were better at handling computers
than they had anticipated. In other respects, their attitudes to IT
were realistically based on their classroom experience, rather than
the films and TV programmes they had seen (which emphasised the
dangers of technology).
----------
Dr. David R. Newman, Queen's University, Information Management
Dept., BELFAST BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland. <d.r.n...@qub.ac.uk>
Interpersonal Computing and Technology
Vlatko:
I both teach and practice the idea of taking frequent deep
breaths, looking away from the computer preferably focusing out a window a
long distance, standing up and stretching, and/or walking a little. By
frequently I mean every fifteen minutes. When frustration sets in, that
is a sure clue that it is time for a break. Relax a little, let it soak
in, like anything else. Be sure your seating, desk, computing equipment,
lighting and posture are ergonomic. This will go further than you think
to keep you feeling better about it all -- at least keep you from being
quite so susceptable to the negative feelings.
I often try to put software and computer use in perspective for
students. When they are frustrated I'll tell a little story. Something
like: you know, a program like WordPerfect, or the desktop computer
itself is only a little over a decade old. Not very old compared to our
age. However, how many programmers have been working on this program;
fifty?, a hundred?, a hundred and fifty? And for eight to ten hours a
day, five or six days a week for ten plus years. How many hours is that?
And you think you can master this in a matter of minutes or hours? Don't
feel so badly. Give yourself a break! Most of us started out the same
way.
John P. Zinner
----------------------[Reply - Original Message]----------------------
Sent by:Interpersonal Computing and Technology <IP...@GUVAX.BITNET>
From: Vlatko Gagic <vga...@mason1.gmu.edu>
Hi everybody,
I'm looking for a good advice what to do with my frustratins working with
computer. Is that possible that the machine causes such negative feelings
in me or is that only projection of something deeper? I'll be very
thankful for every good advice!
=====================================================================