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by kenjackson 4954 days ago
As the OP describes - we all remember our grandparents struggling to use computers with any degree of effectiveness at all. Is that just because they grew up in a time where tech just wasn't evolving that fast? And so weren't used to having to constantly update their stack? Or is it just that their brains no longer could cope.

I've turned 40 and I already see where my demise will be. It won't be in what I consider tech (gadgets, languages, frameworks, HW, etc...), but rather how to use social networks. I already am like my grandparents when it comes to Twitter (does this message go to everyone or not?). And with Facebook I'm always unclear about who can see what (private, friends, Facebook users, everyone?). And I have virtually no understanding why instagram and pinterest are "must have" apps.

I've seen where I'll be like my granddad and it will be in social networks.
2 comments
Udo 4954 days ago
Don't feel bad, it's not your fault. The only thing betraying your true age is the fact that you even think about privacy settings. Most Facebook users have no idea how to limit (or judge) message visibility, nor do they desire to. Facebook also sabotages such attempts on purpose.

For instance, I used to think I got my publication settings down pretty good (by dividing FB friends into groups), but it turns out Facebook ignores and resets your preferences every once in a while for good measure. So even if you belong to the small minority of users who go through the trouble of trying to compartmentalize their message publication, Facebook will override you and enable interesting things like your coworkers commenting on party pictures they shouldn't even be able to see.

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munin 4954 days ago
> And with Facebook I'm always unclear about who can see what (private, friends, Facebook users, everyone?)

it seems cruel to say this is your fault - Facebook's UI for determining this is terrible and basically only .05% of Facebooks users have an idea of where their messages go (probably).

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grannyg00se 4954 days ago
Perhaps part of the age gap is that you actually care to think about where the messages go while a younger audience just assumes it is handled the way it should be, or cares little about controlling it.
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