First Impressions...of computers
How many of you out there use a computer at work? Quite a few, I expect. Why do I ask? Well, I've recently changed jobs (I was laid off from the firm I was employed at for 11 years and am currently "temping" at another company).
This "change" brought to light something I had forgotten in a long time - using different and, in particular, older software packages than I was used to. At home, I use Windows 98, Office 97, FrontPage 98, all running on a machine that's about 6 months old. I take it for granted that I will be using "Windows" programs and usually - quite modern ones.
At my previous company, we used Windows NT (and for those who don't know), it looks (from a users point of view) very much like Windows 95.
On my first day at my temping job I was told I would be using the DOS-based version of Dbase 3. Fortunately for me, I have a good boss at this new firm who quickly told me the commands I needed to know - I haven't used this type of software in years!
Like a lot of companies, they have their own bespoke systems to handle their business requirements. In my previous job, I worked on an in house pensions administration system and as I was part of the development team who wrote it - it was no great mystery to me.
I got to thinking and this is what I came up with.
What if the very first computer you use is one of these older systems?
A charming lady came up to me today and said that she "Didn't have a clue about computers" and I wondered if she has to use these bespoke systems.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying these systems are bad - far from it - they meet their companies needs but they do tend to have been written quite some time ago which means they are written on older software.
For me to upgrade my system, it costs me a Windows disk and maybe an Office upgrade. I am quite capable of working through the new programs and features in my own time. For a company, this isn't the case - they may have hundreds of PC's to upgrade as well as their bespoke systems and THEN they have to train people to use them. That is VERY expensive! It's no wonder they stick with the systems they know when you think how quickly software and machines change.
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