How to Advise Someone as to What Kind of Computer They Should Buy

When helping a technophobe get their feet wet with computers, one wants to simplify things. But it is possible to take that urge too far. My elderly father decided to finally get “on the internet.” He went to the Apple Store and got himself an iPad, which I thought was a good choice, all things considered.

A few weeks later I asked him how he liked it. He didn’t.

He got it home, tried to use it, and gave up in frustration after a few days and several attempts. I asked a long series of questions and eventually figured out the problem. The salesman at the Apple Store told him that he could do everything he wanted to using Siri. Dad walked out with the impression that he could press the on button, then just tell Siri what he wanted, and she would do it for him. He spent three days barking orders at his iPad and having Siri refuse to do what he wanted. I don’t blame him for not enjoying that.

It probably reminded him of his marriage to my mother.

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