On Sun, 1 Feb 2004, Anaru Hartley wrote:
Instead of limiting (or what I like to call mothering) users why not educate them? I don't think it would take much to organise a small non-profit org. or suggest some other org. take on the responsibility.
I'm not talking about TV Adverts (why waste the money!) but simple banner ad's with simple Tips. It doesn't take much to have a fairly secure machine (even if it is Windows the user is running).
I'm all in favour of a user-education scheme but the point also needs to be made - user needs to want to learn! In my experience theres a few different classes of Internet user: - Those who use it for fun as a means to an end (eg to communicate with friends or find information.) - Those who use it for business as a means to an end (Business websites, email and other similar transactions. Business users who see it as a tool.) - Those who use it for personal reasons but recreationally as well as for other purposes. (eg people who Enjoy using the Internet And Computers, for whatever reason - but its not just a means to an end. Most geeks would probably fit in here. - Those who use it in business and are at the same time fascinated by the potential of the Internet, or perhaps excited enough by what you can get up to that they might begin to fit into the former category soon. Do you suppose that people in category 2 (I would say a vast majority of business users) really care about anything more about their 'end' where the Internet is the means? Eg if they point and click and it works does it matter about the how? Eg if they open an email and it contains their files, do they care that the next one on is going to make their internet run slow? Or that its going to inconvenience others? Why be phased if it has no impact on their first-person experience? In my personal opinion - this whole email reflects nothing else - theres a market for the 'restricted' view of the Internet as long as that restriction doesnt infringe on anyones privacy, and doesnt hinder the end goal. I'm sure theres a group of users out there who'd be happy to learn some new tricks - eg, how to take appropriate care when opening attatchments, keep their AV uptodate, all that sort of thing. Unfortunately the 'problem users' are the ones who quite frankly arent phased - the most effort theyre likely to put in is in signing up for an account where its all done for them (at no extra charge).... Just my thoughts. :) Mark.