Technically challenged?

have a good laugh at ourselves! I, for one, have been through some embarrassing moments.

While modern kids take computers like ducks to water, some parents who are in their 50s and beyond might have a mental block when it comes to using them.

I use computer for specific purposes and know just enough to get by. Anything new is still considered a pain as we cannot make mistake when typing a command for instance:

Tech support: Your password is the small letter 'a' as in apple, a capital letter V as n Victor, the number 7.

Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?

Or

Customer : Can't get on the Internet.

Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?

Customer : Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.

Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?

Customer : Five stars.

A common problem is not plugging in all the components:

Customer : My keyboard is not working anymore.

Tech support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?

Customer : No. I can't get behind the computer.

Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.

Customer : OK

Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?

Customer : Yes

Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?

Customer : Yes, there's another one here. Ah… that one does work...

Sometimes, common sense seems to elude us:

Tech support : What kind of computer do you have?

Female customer: A white one...

or

Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it...

or

Customer : I have problems printing in red...

Tech support: Do you have a color printer?

Customer : Aaaah....................thank you.

Sometimes, we can be even worse than without common sense, and can be as dumb as:

Tech support: What's on your monitor now, ma'am?

Customer : A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11.

While some of us can even be aggressive while being dumb:

Tech support : Good day. How may I help you?

Male customer: Hello... I can't print.

Tech support : Would you click on 'start' for me and...

Customer : Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill Gates.

Technical jargon and specific names for certain programs can really tell on you:

Tech support: What anti-virus program do you use?

Customer : Netscape.

Tech support: That's not an anti-virus program.

Customer : Oh, sorry… Internet Explorer.

Not really knowing and making a fool of ourselves is common:

Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.

Or

Tech support: How may I help you?

Customer : I'm writing my first e-mail.

Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?

Customer : Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?

The following seems like, but is not, a dumb blonde joke:

A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.

Tech support: Are you running it under windows?

Customer : 'No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine.'

And last, but not least…

Tech support: 'Okay Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter 'P' to bring up the Program Manager.'

Customer : I don't have a P.

Tech support: On your keyboard, Bob.

Customer : What do you mean?

Tech support: 'P'..... on your keyboard, Bob.

Customer : I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!

(Inspired by 'Technically Challenged? This ought to make you feel better about your computer skills!'
which was emailed to me, author unknown)