Compromising Integrity

Since no one is actually watching, many computer users feel safe about accepting copied software, using shareware without paying registration fees, giving copies of non-free software to others or using purchased software programs on multiple machines. But these are minor transgressions that can be subtle causes of later "accidental mishaps".

Failing to do Homework

Another common cause of computer stress is failing to do homework. In some ways this is similar to Cause # (Trying to Cut Corners). It is done mainly to save time. But in many problems the computer users experience could have been prevented had they researched products or companies more thoroughly or had they spoken to experienced experts before making a purchase.

Conflicts With Other People

Much of stress in life comes from conflicts and interpersonal difficulties encountered with other people. While the computer world may give the illusion of working alone and isolating oneself from others, this is not really the case.

Both at home and at work, many different types of computer related conflicts and resultant stress can arise. At home, there may be issues of sharing usage between family members, exposure of children to outside influences, increased financial burdens, conflicts over the amount of time spend at the terminal (or not being spent elsewhere) and many others. These types of conflicts require strong communication, relationship building and negotiation skills.

At work, similar types of issues can surface. Conflicts over access to shared company resources, such as laser printers, network searches or the availability of expert assistance , are very common.

At home or at work , there are vendors, customers, other computer users and their networked virtual communities and many other people who might be interacted with, both on line and in person. Some of these interactions can sometimes be stressful. Because computers expand our capabilities for social interactions and because such interactions are often beyond our direct personal control, computers tend to increase our stress in this very important and difficult area of living harmoniously with other human beings.

Beating Up On Yourself Unneccessarily

Along with the expectations of perfectionism and universally faultless performance comes the very common behavior pattern of beating yourself whenever doing something wrong or make a "dumb" mistake.

Mistakes in the computer world are very common. All it takes is entering one incorrect letter, number or symbol and the whole operation can grind to a halt. Deleting the wrong file (or a whole directory of important files) happens to the very best of us. An when it comes to operating complex software applications or coordinating the installation of complex hardware or networking systems errors are common and one should not feel too bad or demean when they occur.

Forgiveness and compassion are what is needed to deal with the many details and pitfalls computer usage entails.

Unrealistic Expectations

Much of our stress in life is caused by our own unrealistic expectations. Many of these expectations are quite silly when examined in the open. But they often lurk in the background of our thinking, causing mischief and stress in ways that one may not always be consciously aware of.

Take the common experience of frustration associated with computers. Much of this frustration comes from expecting ourselves or our computers to function perfectly all the time. While this is a laudable goal, it is not very realistic. The file worked on may have appeared to disappear. (It is usually still there-somewhere.) Heavy traffic on the on-line service may cause a system slow down just when the system performance had to be optimum.

In the computer world, there are many opportunities to become upset with other people. Some people may not respond in a timely manner (or at all) to e-mail messages. Others will send unsolicited e-mail or will flame for making a beginner's mistake. And then there are all the vendors, sales people, repair technicians, tech support people and many others who repeatedly fail to live up to one's personal standards for how people should behave.

Trying to Cut Corners

In addition to cutting financial corners, there are many other ways computer users get themselves into trouble by trying to skip important or critical steps. Trying to use hardware or software without reading the manuals or doing the basic tutorials is one very common cause. Unfortunately, the new "Plug and Play" mentality fosters this behaviour. Many Plug and Play users, on the other hand, have found out that they still need to understand how their new equipment works (and installs).

Attempting to user powerful software programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, relational database programs, web page designers, graphics illustrators, are causes of computer related stress. While many of these programs are relatively easy to learn and operate at a very basic level, most users could benefit from additional training and tutoring.

The usual excuse for skipping these steps is time. Many people feel that they do not have the time to sit down and study their manuals, read and additional book, attend a class or hire a professional trainer. Unfortunately, when they do not have time to learn they usually end up spending much more time (and sometimes money) in the long run.

So get properly trained. Not doing this is very common cause of computer related headaches.

Failing to Ask for Help

Many novice computer users (and some veterans too), are reluctant to ask other people for help. This can lead to an incredible amount of stress, most of which is totally unnecessary.

When starting to use a computer, nothing can beat having one or two experienced computer users whenever running into a problem. It also may help to visit the local bookstore and purchase a supplemental training or tutorial guide. And do not forget the many on-line sources of help for all levels of users. Hardware and software forum can be found on AOL, Compuserve and other popular services. And there is also a tremendous amount of free (and not so free) technical support available by phone, fax and on-line that is provided by most product manufacturers.

Trying to Get By on the Cheap

Sometimes disasters like the system not accepting certain software or the system may running slowly may result if the Pentium is not updated. Thus, the efficiency of the system is brought down in the urge to save money.

Failing to Anticipate Problems

The stressful problems, that computer users experience can be prevented. Yes, power outages do occur, but equipment and software controls are available to keep from losing data. Theft or damage from children, natural disasters, viruses, intruders and hard disk failures may not always be avoidable. But adopting a regular backup schedule and keeping a recent backup in a second location can make such losses easier to bear. Software bugs are common in many types or programs, especially in new releases. So if one is uncomfortable dealing with such problems, it may be better to wait before making a purchase.

The point is there are many potential computer-related nightmares, but they can be anticipated and steps taken to either prevent a disaster or at the very least to significantly soften its blow.

Common Causes of Computer Stress

Anyone who uses a computer regularly knows valuable these 20th century machines can be. And anyone who has ever waited for their on-line service to respond, received a "mailbox full" message, had their hard disk crash, been flamed on the Internet, upgraded to Win95,or tried to set up their own home-based computer network knows that there is also a dark side to this modern wonder of technology.

Working with computers can sometimes be stressful. And dealing with computer stress is really no different than dealing with any other type of stress in life.

Common causes of computer related stress are discussed in the following:

• Failing to Anticipate Problems
• Trying to Get By on the Cheap
• Failing to Ask for Help
• Trying to Cut Corners
• Unrealistic Expectations
• Beating Up On Yourself Unnecessarily
• Conflicts With Other People
• Failing to do Homework
• Compromising Integrity