Instructions by QR code

Witzend

Same with apps.
I fairly recently signed up with my (very handy) local David Lloyd, just for the pool, and was naively expecting a membership card.

Of course not, you ancient twit*, you have an app, which you tap on the reader at the entrance. And you put it in the Apple Wallet on your Smartphone, assuming it’s an Apple one.

*not that they said any such thing, I hasten to add - all very pleasant.
Should add that I’m far from the only ‘ancient’ swimmer using the pool in the daytime.

My Gym has an app, it’s great when it working - about 50% of the time then you have to enter a membership number which is a pain.

The problem is that it has to communicate with a central server via the internet which is not very reliable.

The logic that says that we shouldn't insist on the use of technology because some people 'can't' engage with it is similar to saying that we shouldn't have telephone helplines as not everyone has a phone. There was a time when that was true, but sooner or later it was expected that people would catch up and get one, or borrow the use of one. Should we stop having public service announcements on TV in case those without one miss out? I think that this is the same in many ways.

There have been dual options for ancient twits for years - there is an argument (which I am not necessarily making) for saying that all but the most ancient or twitesque could have made the effort by now. Everyone on here is IT literate enough to post, and has access to something from which to do so, and there is a wide range of ages on here.

OTOH there are people like my MIL who is nearly 100 and has never used a computer in her life. There would be no point in giving her a QR code - apart from anything else she doesn't have a gadget that could read one, even if she knew what one was. The trouble is knowing at what point to set the cut-off, to encourage everyone to at least try to get on board. By then there will be other things (AI?) that will have come on stream, so I suppose society is always playing catch up.

My phone won't read QR codes, it isn't even that old. Twice I've had helpful young men say they'd show me how it works and then they had to admit defeat. I can't even take the GC to the local soft play as you have to book in online and then get in with a QR code. I suppose at some point I will have to buy a new phone but I do resent it.

Doodledog

The logic that says that we shouldn't insist on the use of technology because some people 'can't' engage with it is similar to saying that we shouldn't have telephone helplines as not everyone has a phone. There was a time when that was true, but sooner or later it was expected that people would catch up and get one, or borrow the use of one. Should we stop having public service announcements on TV in case those without one miss out? I think that this is the same in many ways.

There have been dual options for ancient twits for years - there is an argument (which I am not necessarily making) for saying that all but the most ancient or twitesque could have made the effort by now. Everyone on here is IT literate enough to post, and has access to something from which to do so, and there is a wide range of ages on here.

OTOH there are people like my MIL who is nearly 100 and has never used a computer in her life. There would be no point in giving her a QR code - apart from anything else she doesn't have a gadget that could read one, even if she knew what one was. The trouble is knowing at what point to set the cut-off, to encourage everyone to at least try to get on board. By then there will be other things (AI?) that will have come on stream, so I suppose society is always playing catch up.

It is an awkward question but I did feel a bit like that advert with the man trying to buy some veg but he could only pay with crypto when I was trying to take GC into soft play and I couldn't pay with money or a debit card or online because if I paid online I then had to scan the QR code.

I was saved by the helpful young man on reception who took my money, booked me in on his phone and scanned the QR code for me.

My issue isn't that I can't use tech it is that I need to spend money on a new phone when I have one that does everything else that I need.

theworriedwell

My phone won't read QR codes, it isn't even that old. Twice I've had helpful young men say they'd show me how it works and then they had to admit defeat. I can't even take the GC to the local soft play as you have to book in online and then get in with a QR code. I suppose at some point I will have to buy a new phone but I do resent it.

Is it a smartphone, theworriedwell? If so, you can get an app that reads them. Be sure to search for a free one though, as some charge per use.

Not an issue for us, but neither of my parents would have coped hence me, or one of our children, helping them out.

I do remember many many years ago when giros and CB payment “books” were withdrawn people went ape, but we did all manage.

There will always be a few unable to cope and we should be good citizens and keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours.

You younger members are very harsh sometimes but I forgive you as you cannot imagine what it is like to want to be able to cope with all changes thrust upon our lives but physical and mental barriers cause great frustration. Those with poor eyesight, arthritic hands etc find modern phones difficult. Have a little sympathy please!

I say that as someone still suffering from the frustration of having to deal with changing from one internet/phone provider to another as BT has handed all their domestic contracts to EE. I have been trying to reconnect so many appliances which, because they are pretty ancient (like me!), are resisting. Trying to read codes of 13 or so digits and then apply in small boxes is not easy for one with poor sight. I tried to get technical support but waiting time was 2.5 hours! Thank heavens for tec-wise grandchildren!

We bought a new (second hand) car last year - a Mini Countryman hybrid. It didn't come with a good old fashioned handbook that we could keep in the car. All the instructions are online or in the in-car display which has many incomprehensible menus. It looks us literally hours to find out how to open the petrol flap!

I resent the disparaging remarks about so-called technophobes. DH and I have been using technology for over 30 years. Our first computer was a ZX81. We now each have a top of a range device or two. As mentioned elsewhere I worked for the MoD for 10 years. I came off various sites in March 2022 because of Russia's activities, including by increasing skillful scammers during the previous month....and also their proven activities during the American and British elections.....My concern is that we are ALL making ourselves extremely vulnerable to exploitation of various kinds. by our activities on line. All DH and I can do is. protect ourselves and if that makes us technophobes then it is with good reason and experience!

Precisely, Gin, I'm partially sighted and my husband has a bad tremor. On his behalf as well as mine I rather resent all these comments telling us to keep up. We're looking into trading in our iPhones for something physically bigger but then there are portability issues.

Doodledog

theworriedwell

My phone won't read QR codes, it isn't even that old. Twice I've had helpful young men say they'd show me how it works and then they had to admit defeat. I can't even take the GC to the local soft play as you have to book in online and then get in with a QR code. I suppose at some point I will have to buy a new phone but I do resent it.

Is it a smartphone, theworriedwell? If so, you can get an app that reads them. Be sure to search for a free one though, as some charge per use.

Yes it is a smart phone and I have the app. As I said these two young men had a little chuckle and said they'd do it and show me how and they were defeated, this was in a pub restaurant and softplay centre. No idea what is wrong but I do resent having to buy a new phone but if more places are like the softplay centre where you can't actually use it then I will have to bite the bullet. I can live without the softplay centre as there are others and the pub were happy to take my cash but I did miss out on a discount but who knows how much this will affect in coming days.

I agree that if companies are going to use technology the onus should be on them to ensure that people can access it, by using readily available and universal apps etc.

seadragon

I resent the disparaging remarks about so-called technophobes. DH and I have been using technology for over 30 years. Our first computer was a ZX81. We now each have a top of a range device or two. As mentioned elsewhere I worked for the MoD for 10 years. I came off various sites in March 2022 because of Russia's activities, including by increasing skillful scammers during the previous month....and also their proven activities during the American and British elections.....My concern is that we are ALL making ourselves extremely vulnerable to exploitation of various kinds. by our activities on line. All DH and I can do is. protect ourselves and if that makes us technophobes then it is with good reason and experience!

We've still got DHs ZX80 and ZX81 in the loft. He's a bit of a hoarder, he got a shock when he saw the same things in the Science Museum.

Doodledog

I agree that if companies are going to use technology the onus should be on them to ensure that people can access it, by using readily available and universal apps etc.

I don't think being able to use legal currency should be so difficult. Obviously reading instruction manuals is a different matter.

Why do we put up with this?! It's totally for the benefit of the producer, not the consumer. It's far easier to flick through some sheets of paper in a manual and keep it by the appliance.
What happened to "the customer is always right"?

Totally agree eddiecat78

eddiecat78

Why do we put up with this?! It's totally for the benefit of the producer, not the consumer. It's far easier to flick through some sheets of paper in a manual and keep it by the appliance.
What happened to "the customer is always right"?

I couldn't even manage to be a customer, the guy on reception who took the cash and made the booking for me will be the customer. It is madness, didn't they used to say "Cash is king?"

I've decided next time I'm in town I'm going to go into the shop that does phone repairs and see if they can sort it. Maybe this thread was the push I needed.

I am not a technophobe, but I sometimes struggle to do things on my phone especially when out. The keypad is small and I may mistype. It is small to read text. At home I prefer my i-pad, or my laptop. I can’t be the only one.
My neighbours have bought a fully electric car but struggle to follow the instructions to pay at the “ pump” when they need to. Everyone seems to be different. They are not stupid, or lazy or stick in the mud, resistant to change. Nor am I.