How did you learn to use your computer?

Trial and error

Well, I grew up with computers. But I just learned as I went… there’s no real self-destruct button, so I figure, what’s the worst I can do, just pressing buttons and trying to figure it out? Worked for me!

I first got a commodore 64, went to amiga 1200, then in 1998 I got a pc (I was 12 I think then)

I just naturally knew how to use them the second I got on it, no one told me.

LOL @NUNYA…Error and Trial!!!

I first saw a computer when I was in 6th grade here in the US – I had a computer class and later on a typing class…in high school my brother taught me some of the basics…from that point on, I learned a lot and quickly…because of college, because of graduate school, because of work…and these days I learn from my computer science genius of a husband.

Grew up with them.

My parents taught me when I was quite little. My dad knows how to program, he’s built computers, he’s used all kinds, his life pretty much revolves around them and has for a long time. :P

I’ve grown up with them and been using them for a long time. I’ve used Windows 3.1, 95, and when my siblings and I got a computer to share, it had Windows 98 on it. When I was 11, I got my own computer with Windows 2000 on it. Since then, I’ve had XP, Vista, and Mac OS X. Once I got the basics down of how to use a computer at an early age, any new operating system I just learned on my own. And I’m always surprised at how much more I know than many of my friends, despite the fact that I know little compared to someone like my dad.

I got my first computer when I was 8. It was an apple macintosh. I had been using computers since I was about 5 though. I’ve always been a computer junky. I was learning how to code websites by highschool. I already typed near 80 words a minute by freshman year, so I didn’t have to use the stupid sheilds they forced my peers to use to learn to type without looking.

Closed my eyes and hit the keys and hoped for the best lol
i still don’t know how to use one properly, but i got a brilliant bro that repairs all my mistakes.
I’m still learning very very slowly lol
(i got my first pc last year)

My parents bought me the 128k Macintosh when I was seven in 1984. It had some cool interactive lessons to show you how to use all the programs. It was a pretty amazing machine.

I still have to look at my keyboard when I type.

I used them at work first and then we got our own. That was a long time ago. I am an Admin. Asst. and I was one of the first people at my job to use it for word processing back in the mid-80’s. I loved that!!! What a blessing that was. Subsequently, we use them for everything.
My husband is a computer “nut”, so he taught me the other stuff I didn’t know… but I still have so much to learn.

My family got it’s first comp on 98 when I was 8. I was extremely facinated with it. I learned about the Internet and from there it wa easy as Hell. Anything I wanted to know I just searched for.

Self-taught.

Kept pushing button’s, usually the wrong one’s… :)

When I was 5, the school was going to get a few computers (the “new” Apple //e) so they took the three smartest kids in the school and tried to get us ready for this new technology. Problem was that the other two really didn’t care so I was the only one who actually learned to type, so I was the only one that could really do much on the computer (like even load a program without assistance) until about the middle of 8th grade.

Flash forward and I’ am plonking away on a Vic-20, and that was the last computer I really read a book for until I got into Linux a few years ago.

When I first saw a Mac, I figured it out on my own within minutes, though I had to read some to figure out how to program HyperCard. It wasn’t until ‘93 that I ran into my first Windoze box and that didn’t have a mouse so I learned it the hard way.

Basically, I just do it.

No class, but a bit of style :)

I took summer school classes in using computers starting when I was 10. We had a plethora of Apple ][‘s. By the time I got to college, they were de rigueur and taking a computer class was required.

i haven’t yet figured most of it out. it’s just too modern for me, this windows 98(second addition)

in the punch card era they ran me. I then ran away from them. My son guilted me into using an Apple IIC (I think) learned that, then when my office went off DOS to Windows I picked that up, but kicking and screaming. I still do not like it when an upgrade means learning a whole new screen setup and processes. Now I’m a MacBook guy, thanks AWM. LOL DAD

@kelly I feel your pain.

I got interested in computers in the mid-80s just as MS Windows was starting to come in. DOS was still the standard, and I took a class in it. To this day I’m glad I did. Learning command-line stuff gave me a good basic knowledge of computing, and that helped ease my fear about experimenting with hardware and software. That, in turn, gave me enough confidence to help friends and work-mates, which I still do. People in this thread have recommended trial and error, and I completely agree. Manuals are great, but there’s nothing like just diving in.

I was born in the 1990’s. It’s programed into my brain.

@toomuchcoffee911 Odd. I was born in the early-70s yet I can say the same thing.

Until almost 7 yrs ago had never touched one and then a friend gave me one just to learn on, it was win98, about a 6 months later I had another one give to me and it was XP. thought I was doing great till some one stole them. I then made up my mind to go back school (adult Ed) best thing I ever did. Only problem now is I can’t stay away from school….LOL and I’m a little long winded on my answers some times.

@G_tech A little? :D

Hey they don’t know me here yet…...LOL

If you want to learn something you should have a keen interest in it.you should collect some computer literate books to learn new topics.Try to do more and more practicals once you start doing practically you will learn very fast.

Well, my cousin gave me some lessons and then I decided to learn computerr usage on my own.