Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » In the olden days when things made sense you'd buy something, bring it home, plug it in and USE IT! NOW?

In the olden days when things made sense you'd buy something, bring it home, plug it in and USE IT! NOW?

You gotta be a computer wizard to figger out how in the he** to program it so you can use it. Ever read the gobblygook contained in their so-called "instruction sheets"? Bring home a computer and just plug it in? Seriously? How about a phone (landline for your youngsters) or a SMART TV which is really a smarta** lying in wait to drive you nuts?.

WHY ARE THINGS SO COMPLICATED TODAY? Please be kind. Remember I'm an old fashioned old lady who is really a very delicate and sensitive "flower". So can you answer my question please and thank you in advance. Y.O.S  RosieG.

Posted - February 2, 2019

Responses


  • 10780
    Because most things today are smarter than the person using them. 

    Remember when the only "smart" thing was a smart-aleck?   Nowadays, just about everything is "smart" - phones, TV's, cars, refrigerators, toothbrushes...  you name it!   Why, things are so smart these days that one doesn't even need instructions to operate them. 

    You bought the latest in vacuum cleaners - ACME's Super-lightweight Deluxe-O-Suck 9000ZZ platinum Smart Vacuum Cleaner.  After digging through 25 pounds of packing, you set your shiney, 8-ounce vacuum on the floor.  It's so "smart" that not only can it assemble itself, built it can change its own batteries too! And you wait.  (um... how come it's just sitting there?)

    After several minutes of staring at it, you decide that maybe there's a bit more to it than just "plug and go".  So you dig back through the tons of packing only to find a folded up piece of paper titled "Quick Setup".  As you unfold this ever growing roadmap, a cartoon picture of what has to be Robocop comes into view.  (wait, why does this vacuum have arms and legs?).

    Step 1. Get a child under the age of 10 to assist you.
    Step 2. Go drink a shot of whiskey.
    Step 3. Your product is now ready for use.

    Note:  If you cannot locate a child, you're screwed!

    -----

    If you're lucky enough to buy a product actually has an physical instruction book (not just an online version), its written in 8 different languages - and english isn't one of them.  The first thing you come across are myriads of warnings.  Why, there're more warnings in it than there are "instructions" - 
     
    * Caution!  Read and understand all warnings (in all languages) thoroughly before operating appliance!  Failure to follow these warnings may cause the appliance to cry!  (hmmm.. not only is it "smart" but its sensitive)
    * Warning! Do not eat appliance!  (possible choking hazard?)
    * Warning! Do not operate appliance in an earthquake!  (unless you want to eat it)
    * Warning! Do not operate this appliance underwater - severe shock hazard may occur!  (but any water sloshed out in the earthquake)
    * Warning! Do not operate this appliance between the hours of 12 midnight and 11:59 pm on the second Tuesday of any third month!  (not even underwater?)
    * Warning! Do not touch this appliance - ever!  (shouldn't this have been the first warning?)

    Skipping ahead you finally come to the "instructions". (admit it, you've never actually read all those warnings, have you.)
    Ok, here we go...

    1. Place flange into valve.  (Wait, is this a vacuum cleaner or a toilet?)
    2. Using onscreen menu, locate column titled "setup".  (screen?  what screen?  This is a vacuum cleaner!!)
    3. Press WPS button on router (sold separately) and hold for no less than 3 but no more than 4 seconds, or until light in left window flashes.  (Hey, if this thing flashes me I'm calling the police!)
    4. Download current database to hose #1 (while simultaneously standing on your head and whistling Dixie)
    5. Set the OSD to 1.25 unless the RAM is equivalent to 4/pi.   (say what??)
    6. Make sure the web browser is in sync with the secondary orientation of the URI.  (Huston, we have a problem!)
    7. **Warning!**  You must reset the vector resolution to the null setting prior to operation of the unit.  (uh-huh... right)
    8. If you purchased model #457KLSM6, rotate sieve clockwise 4.2 degrees.  For all other models rotate sieve counterclockwise 4.6 degrees (DO NOT over rotate sieve or you may damage unit!)

    It's at this point you wonder why you even bought this stupid thing.  After all, what's a bit of dust and dirt among friends?


    ***************************************

    Now if you want to put together something REALLY frustrating, try putting together a shipper (that's that cardboard thing of product you see blocking the aisles in stores).  You practically have to have an engineering degree to assemble most of them!
      February 2, 2019 3:48 PM MST
    1

  • 113301
    You have just achieved a FIRST with me Shuhak. I have been on an internet social site since February 2005. Laughed lots and loads.Probably received hundreds of thousands of replies to my questions But this is the first time I kept laughing so hard it brought me to tears! HAPPY tears! JOYFUL tears. HYSTERICALLY FUNNY TEARS. You had me at the first sentence. Little did I know that would just be the tip of the funniest thing I have EVER READ IN ALL MY BORN DAYS! I kid you not. I knew you had a great sense of humor but this funny? I didn't think anyone was this funny. So first of all thank you ever so for starting my day off this way. Congrats! Keep it up. Geez if I could only start off every day like this I'd be in such good humor 24/7!  I guess it's so funny because it rings so true. It is spot on true! I'm gonna keep this front and center so when I need to perk up and figuratively roll over on the floor laughing my you-know-what-off in RAUCOUS laughter I know what to read. Happy Sunday my funny friend! :)
      February 3, 2019 1:35 AM MST
    1

  • 1441
    we live in a world which electricity has became a number one priority...

    just the other day, electricity was cutted from the district,... every appartment was black. no lights, nothing...


    thats when you realised electricity is a big thing we all can benefit
      February 2, 2019 5:07 PM MST
    1

  • 113301
    I  know franc. What you say is very true. But why are things so compllicated today that you need to be a genius to figure out how to work them? That's what I don't get. SIGH. Oh well. Thank you for your reply and Happy Sunday! :)
      February 3, 2019 1:37 AM MST
    0