Bumph Box

I was in a large computer store just before Christmas browsing through the latest laptops and something really got to me. There was a pensioner looking a tad confused at all the different makes and models. One of the staff went over and offered assistance. Well, you couldn’t really call it assistance when he pretty much shoved a laptop down the chap’s throat without even discussing his requirements. Obviously, the old fella had to put his trust into this assistant because he really didn’t know (thing is, there’s so much you can do with technology that it’s difficult to know where to begin).

It reminded me of that feeling when you take your car into the garage and you need it fixing but you don’t know what’s wrong with it (because you don’t know how cars work) and you put your trust in the mechanic and hope they don’t rip you off.

Anyway, this bloke was flogged some machine that he didn’t know anything about along with anti virus software and office products. Then I heard it reverberate around the store…”anti virus…office, protection, spreadsheets, norton, office…” Like some crazy conveyer belt.

I did buy my laptop and when the assistant turned to grab the additional items I was like..

‘No thanks, don’t need them’ – he smirked and carried on putting the items through the till…
‘I said no thanks’
‘But your computer won’t be protected’
‘Yes it will’
‘You need office for….’
‘No I don’t’

So what’s my point? Well we look at the problems when faced with digital inclusion and to be honest, I seem to be seeing a whole load of different problems compared to the kinds of problems that seem to get the most attention (and money spent on them). This is just one instance. Where people who are willing to get digitally involved are not getting the support and motivation they need.
We need to get a proper digital mentor scheme out and about, in the stores, on the streets, in the schools, in the libraries, in the community halls, in the Mosques… you know… Outreach.