BATTLING WITH 'COMPUTER PHOBIA? 

Saturday, October 16, 2004.

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

A SAMPLE OF OLD COMPUTERS 

A THOUGHT-PROVOKING Ga proverb says: "Ole boni latsaa ntsaa kwua..." Literally translated, ''You don't know how animals sweat because of their furs". Sometimes one may not know the ordeal some people went through in life before they became successful. That is one aspect of the significance of the above-quoted African proverb of the Gas of Ghana.

Computers have come to stay. But if you are one who is seized by convulsion whenever you come face to face with computers, don't worry at all. The secret is that you are not alone in that predicament. Even many people in the home where computers are manufactured do face the same tremor.

That quiver or palpitation when one comes in contact with computers for the first time is what is technically known as "computer phobia".  Another term for it is "cyber phobia". Literally, computer phobia is simply the fear of computers. Experts say it is the anxiety about learning to use computers, or not being able to learn successfully, how to acquire the new skills of computer use.

If I were to offer you a layman's advice, I would kindly request you to sit relaxed; take three deep breaths and tell the computer in front of you: "Hey computer, whether you like it or not, I'm going to use you, ok!" Then, you should visualize yourself using the computer like Bill Gates.

Well! Bill Gates is the Chairman and Chief Software Architect of Microsoft Corporation in America. He is one of the richest human beings on this planet of Information and Communication Technology, (lCT). (I will try to write an article about this man to motivate the Ghanaian youth to delve into the IT industry for the digital economic advancement of Ghana and Africa).

 For now, shall we talk of computer phobia? Computer phobia is a technological disease. It can catch everybody, especially adults who want to learn the computer for the first time in their lives. What are some of the causes of computer phobia? Can it be overcome? If yes, then how?

Perhaps, for illustration, it will serve a useful purpose if this writer relates his own experience on how computer phobia tormented him about 10 years ago. In 1993, computer boom had not yet reached Ghana. Thus, when you saw someone at that time using the computer, you admired him or her and held the person in high esteem.

In fact, computer users at the time were considered privileged. And some of them could bluff you like Lucifer. Then, a very good friend of mine who was then working with the Statistical Service Department in Accra offered to teach me in his office how to use the computer after working hours. At that time, the computer did not have mouse. They were using DOS and you had to commit all programmes and commands in memory.

I remember vividly that the first day the Good Samaritan introduced me to the computer key-board, I was not too scared. Maybe it was because I knew how to type on manual typewriter. But after about three days or so of practice, I could not recollect which key I should press to save, retrieve, or print a document. 'Then, I realised that any time I came into contact with the computer, I was nervous, I was panicking and my heart was beating as fast as if I was taking part in the Milo Marathon race in Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region.

 What was happening to me? I could not understand. One day I went to practice and all my ten fingers were vibrating like a rabbit. I started sweating like a pregnant fish in the air-conditioned room oo! (Please, this is not a laughing matter at all . . .).

In fact, I felt so embarrassed. There was another benevolent friend of mine in the office, who noticed my predicament. He asked me: "Why, Mr Abissath, a journalist like you, are you afraid of the computer?" I did not have an answer to his question. The only thing I did was to tell my friend that we should close for the day. And that was the last time I stepped in that office to learn how to use the computer.

Then in 1999 or so, I attended one of the New Year School programmes of the Institute of Adult Education at the University of Ghana Legon, Accra. Professor George Benneh, a former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, was to be one of the resource persons for the school.

During a discussion forum the Professor narrated his experience with computers to us when he participated in a conference in America. According to him, around 1996 or so, as a Professor, he did not know how to use a computer. Then they went to that big conference of academicians from all over the world. Then they were told that everything they were to do must be done on computers.

And there and then they were shown a computer room where every work must be processed and presented. Those who know Prof. Benneh well will attest that he is a man of great sense of humour. The way he narrated the story was really exciting.

He concluded that it was due to that experience that when he returned to Ghana, he insisted that every student who went to the University of Ghana, Legon, must learn how to use the computer before they left the corridors of the university.

All I am trying to do is to alert fellow Ghanaians in general and civil servants, in particular, that learning to use the computer can be frustrating sometimes. But that is no reason why the skills must not be acquired to increase productivity and effectiveness to move along with the rest of the e-world. If I can use a computer today to process this article myself, then everybody can use it. The object of this piece is to demystify the computer. (This article was written fourteen years ago). 

  

As stated earlier, even in the countries where computers are manufactured, people suffer from computer phobia. For example, the University of California in the US carried out a survey in 2003 and found that "computers were the most frustrating household appliance" in America. The results of the survey indicated that 55 per cent of respondents stated that they were sometimes frustrated and 16 per cent said they were frequently frustrated with computers.

Another American research writer, Larry Rosen, says that up to 85 per cent of Americans are hesitant about or outright resistant to technology. He states that "fear can be a formidable foe"; concluding that "the very act of sitting in front of the computer makes people uncomfortable."

The best way to conquer computer phobia is to use the computer constantly. That is all!

The author works with the Information Services Department (ISD) abissath@gmail.com

NB: This article was first published by the Daily Graphic in October 2004.