One of the apps on my iPhone, Patient Access, has just refreshed. It's an app used for ordering medication from the doctor and suchlike. It's very useful.
This morning I switched my iPhone off because it had altered the order of the of app pages for some inexplicable reason. All was okay when I switched it back on until I went into the Patient Access App. It required me to sign back in.
Fine. Nothing unusual there. Except that they have introduced two-factor authentication. That should be simple but it wasn't because it suddenly decided that I'm not who I am. After an hour or more of time I cannot afford to waste on such things, it was sorted.
I'm fortunate enough to be computer savvy having been involved with computers since I did a computing course on my second degree when I was about 22 (l o n g ago!). I've used and battled with computers ever since.
However, it took me well over an hour to convince the app that I am me get it all back up and running . How on earth anyone with no interest in or ability with computers copes with modern life I have no idea because everything we do these days seems to require some sort of computer input and if my experience is anything to go by it gets harder and harder each day.
You are absolutely right, Graham! I hate when they do that and usually end up calling and sitting through a long wait time while they help me solve the problem. Bad way to do business, I think!
ReplyDeleteEllen, it seems inevitable for some people and for most at some stage.
DeleteI feel sorry for those who struggle mightily with computer issues, especially those who are so unfamiliar with them! As you say, even IF you have used them for years, it does seem to get harder. Just reading comment above... do you have to listen to very loud horrible music when you are on hold? Or is that just here in America?
ReplyDeleteKay, on the very odd occasion I've waited on hold (not for computer matters as it happens) there has either been quiet music or silence with a beep or two every 10 or 20 seconds.
DeleteI despair sometimes, trying to do what should be simple tasks online. I am - or used to be - reasonably tech savvy as I was an e-learning developer at the end of my career but these days I seem to be quite out of date with my skills and knowledge!
ReplyDeleteJayCee, I suspect I'm a lot older than you are and I'm reluctantly putting it down to the simple fact that one's physical and mental faculties slow with age. (I feel a post coming on).
DeleteI have to confess that I am a bit of a techno moron and I am unreasonably intimidated by computers. I am quite proficient in the stuff I do daily, but when glitches occur I am totally stymied and mild panic sets in. Fortunately, I have a good friend who is very computer-literate and I can generally coax him to come and help. If he dies or moves away I will never forgive him!
ReplyDeleteDavid, there is nothing to "confess". Very few people know anywhere near as much as you do about birds and nature. We all have our strengths and relative weaknesses.
DeleteI know what you mean. As soon as one has got one thing sorted out, some other change or problem seems to be popping up. I just spent an hour or two today on just downloading a new/changed app from my library to both tablet and phone, and trying to get logged in to it...
ReplyDeleteMonica, c'est la vie, n'est pas?
DeleteI think those with no inclination and who think they can't do it (they probably can do it) just give up without even trying because they ring up a son, daughter, grandchild etc. and seem to think this is a clever move. I think half the time they are just showing off they've got children. Like you, I spend the time necessary on it and solve it.
ReplyDeleteI have never thought for a moment that calling my daughter ( about anything) was to show off. It seems to be an outrageous reaction to me. God forbid that J.D. Vance might have been onto something when he talked about childless cat(ty) ladies.
DeleteMaybe but some just give up and say call the kids and good luck to them. It would be better to try and solve it themselves but maybe they don't have that kind of mindset and like to be helpless.
DeleteNot necessarily not trying...I have a computer ,/ printer problem now...so who do I ask for advice....my brother, a systems analyst and computer geek and my daughter a graphic designer who uses her computer a lot....they know how to do things that I struggle to so why not?!
DeleteGwynneth, I agree with you in that if that is not one of your strengths and have available help why waste time.
DeleteFrustrating, and doubly so for those who have no background knowledge. Even those who are very computer-literate despair at the waste of time waiting to speak to someone, often to find they cannot help!
ReplyDeleteJanice, you have hit the proverbial nail on the head.
DeleteRachel.
ReplyDeleteThat is a bit hard and bitter to say someone is showing off they have children.
Barbara
Experience is a great thing to have and maybe you don't have it whoever you are.
DeleteRachel, I doubt that anyone, shows off about not having a skill whether it be cooking or car mechanics or computer skills.
DeleteI use Patient Access and the 2 factor stuff is a pain in the A, totally unnecessary. It also keeps trying to insist I download the phone app - I don't have a smartphone, only a dumb one. I would not be able to use a smartphone now, anyway. The NHS login provides an alternative.
ReplyDeleteTasker, I use the phone app (I didn't actually realise there was an app for the computer) and I did see that I could use my NHS Login. The problem is I don't have one. I suppose it would be a good idea to investigate in case I need it in the future.
DeleteWe are all tech immigrants - some of us have learned the language and culture more effectively than others. The generations after us are tech natives.
ReplyDeleteA good description
DeleteIn the apts here, there are a number of older residents who have no clue on how to navigate the in-house resident portal. It seems that the management believe everyone is computer-literate which is definitely not true.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice, I have many friends of my age group, who have degrees and many skills and may be exceptionally well read and have had responsible jiobs but have no computer skills at all and no interest in such things. That number will dwindle as we drop off this mortal coil. Then people with no such ability will struggle.
DeleteMy almost thirty years knowledge of computers and the internet seems to count for nothing now. The only thing that saves me is my patience.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I have to say that I never realised just how patient I can be when I have to be.
DeleteMy Sainsbury's loyalty card site won't let me in to secure all my discounts. I've changed the password several times, but it still won't let me in!
ReplyDeleteCro, good luck with that one.
DeleteMy Mum will be 81 this summer, and she was the first person in my family to own a personal computer and a mobile phone. She will try everything herself first, and rarely she has had to admit defeat and call in an expert - in the shape of a techie neighbour who lives in the same apartment building.
ReplyDeleteI am a "knowledgeable user" but more often than not simply can't be bothered to work something out, unless I really NEED it. For instance, today there will be an update for the app where I book my tickets for the local trains and look up train times. An email with information about 11 (!) steps to do AFTER the update was sent to me yesterday. I have taken precautions and hope it will all work well, but I can only test it after 4:00 pm when the update should be available to everyone. Since I am working at the office today, I need a ticket for the local trains...
Your Mum and I are almost the same age and from what I've gleaned over the years we are probably of a similar mindset when faced with problems of many sorts. I hope that you managed with the ticket app update. Last time I got a train the station was unmanned and the ticket machine had a queue and then someone said it hadn't issue a ticket when she had shown her card but had taken the payment. I suggested taking a photo of the message (I can't recall the details) and thes rest of us boarder the train sans billet and just paid the conductor. If there hadn't been one it would have been a right stramash at the exit.
DeleteIt is all the hackers! They are trying to make everything difficult for the hackers, but don't seem to realize that it makes things so much harder for the non-hackers. Ugh. I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteYes, Debby, and it's going to get a lot worse if Trump gets rid of so many system safeguarders. Russia and others will have a field day.
Delete