How to Close the Generation Gap in Internet Technology

The generation gap was a term last used in the 1960s when a major cultural shift separated many young people of the day from their more traditional parents and other elders. The kids who once defied mom and dad and set off for Woodstock now find themselves angry, befuddled and ready to pick up a protest sign against a new villain: technology.

More specifically, technology that presumes a certain level of expertise that many baby boomers -- not to mention their elderly parents -- just don't have.

Cut and paste, hyper-link and back-link are terms that cause many a boomer to scratch their graying heads. They can tell you that Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton all at one time played lead guitar for the Yardbirds. But what the heck is "html"? An abbreviation for hotmail?

So how can this gap be closed? If boomers and the twentysomethings work together, it is doable.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• computer

1. Boomers, don't be afraid to ask. It's been said that the only stupid question is the one not asked. You may have a vague idea that the Control key and the "S" key together have something to do with saving a document. But you wonder: Do you hit them simultaneously? Do you strike one key and then the other and in what order? Just ask.
   
   The answer? Hold the control key down with one finger then quickly strike the "S" with another finger and, voila, your document is saved.

2. Twentysomethings, explain technology in the clearest, most simple means possible. In the movie "Philadelphia," Denzel Washington plays an attorney who, when seeking information, is fond of saying, "Explain it to me as if I were five years old."
   
   Use Denzel's approach and your less-techy elder will be forever grateful.

3. Websites, you need to think like Denzel as well. eHow is a wonderful site for writers to share their how-to knowledge with each other and the public at large. But writers shouldn't have to waste time wondering where to click to find the print-friendly, expanded view. It is doubtful the writer's cat will find it a second time.

4. Work together to close the generation gap in internet technology. That's the secret, whether it be 1967 and the Summer of Love or well into the 21st century.

Tips & Warnings

• This article uses age-related terms loosely. Obviously some octogenarians may be more tech savvy than their great grand children.
• Whatever you do, don't take a gun, pick-ax or sledgehammer to your computer, however tempted you may be.

[anarticle]

on 8/25/2009 Thanks for the tips about closing the generation gap.

[johnrapp]

on 8/6/2009 i still think that woman's got the right idea with the handgun :b 5 stars, dugg!

[mizzy]

on 8/3/2009 Great article. I wrote and published an article in Booklinks Magazine about closing the generation gap through books, so this topic interested me. Well done.

[consultmedley]

on 7/30/2009 This is true I have a grandparent that uses computers at work but won' touch the one at home, hopefully with a little encouragement I can usher the gap closed?

[mweise]

on 7/27/2009 Great article! 5* and a Digg!