My First Computer

Running Head: My First Computer

My First Computer

Robert Fehn

Park University

Introduction to Computer

CS140

03 May 2005

My First Computer

Introduction

I began working with computers about 3 years ago. Needless to say it was a shocking experience sitting in front of a picture tube and not knowing how it worked or where to begin. I began by hitting buttons and asking question at the same time.

The first computer that I bought was a new Packard Bell 486 with windows 3.1 and a Cannon bubble jet. It was more troublesome to use and I was not computer literate and I had no ideal what I had but I had a computer in my home. I was asked prior to buying the computer what I wanted put on it my answer was whatever it comes with and I had no idea what to use so the guy put some programs on it and I took it home and was in business. I would do little things at first just to try and get a feel for this thing but it would amaze me or frustrate me. I had this thing and did not know what to do with it at times I felt like throwing it out the window. The more I tried reading the book the more I got confused and I had no patience with this technology. I looked through several different computer books and that did not help. So I finally gave up on computers and left them alone for several years.

After five years I found myself in the need of a computer because I had moved up in position and it required the use of a computer and everything was becoming electronic including the forms. I when out and brought a new up to date computer for that time. It came with all this fancy software and hardware. I was happy to have it but could only do so much work on it. I could do PowerPoint slides that was my biggie I would pull up a blank screen input what I wanted print it out and head for the next slide. But PowerPoint was not the only thing the bosses wanted they wanted Excel spreadsheet, graphs, memos, and all this other stuff that I had no ideal of doing. I sat down with a friend and told him of my dilemma and he kind of put me on the right track and lost me at the same time. Sometimes instead of talking me through it he would do it himself and not explain how he did it or how he got it to do what it did.

My thing for the computer at this time was mainly the internet I could do that with ease AOL was the only provider out at that time I think so I had to wait for that dial up sign on and then I was chatting. This was not what I had intended to use the computer for but it was fun talking with people all over t he world was right at my finger tips. This went on for months on end I would log on sit back and watch others chat before I was brave enough to jump in and jump in I did. I learned about netiquette on line the right way to write abbreviate use gargin that mostly all experienced computer buffs used at that time.

Once that phase played out I knuckled down and got serious about how to use a computer for work purposes I needed it for doing rating schemes, typing out counseling awards and other thing that a person in my position would need them for. I talked with this lieutenant and she told me that she would not do the work for me but would help me when I needed it but the thing was I needed help almost all the time.

I had no idea about page setup spacing, cut paste edit spell check alignment or any of these things or how to use any programs. If I hit a button and the page disappeared or something happened and I did not know why it happened I’d call out for her. Thank God she was patient with me here I was a 40 year old man with no experience what so ever when it came to working with computers. I was embarrassed to say the least. But I stayed with it and she continued to help. Little by little I learned more and more about computers to where I could kind of get around on it and do little things that did not require much knowledge. I could do accountability sheets; sign in rosters and trivial things such as that nothing to complicated I did not want to fool myself into believing that I was a pro or anything like that.

Type of Institution

While in the Army