Unbelievably there are still people around who have never even turned on a computer. These people have chosen live their life in the dark ages, responding not to emails but writing letters as normal and popping them in the post box. For some the world of internet and computing is a scary prospect, with many feeling that even after switching on a PC they may accidentally press something, which may end up having detrimental consequences to the machine.



Such is the case whereby few people in this small group of people decide to take up a computing course, along the lines of an ECDL course. These courses are designed to teach the most basic of principles relating to working a computer, using basic programmes and familiarising you with the general workings of a computer.

ECDL is an acronym for European Computer Driving Lesson. Some may mistake this course to be a theory course for actual driving, however, this is not the case. The course is organised over seven different modules with each one focussing on different software programmes. These also include Spreadsheets, Word Processing, Database, Presentation, Concepts of IT, Using the computer and managing your files, and Outlook Express.

The ECDL has been made available for people to study from home, access over the web or take part through a part-time college course. People wanting to learn more about computers on a basic level are more than likely to find this a useful learning tool. However, often some people find it rather embarrassing to admit that they are not computer literate. Where one-person maybe a computer genius with the knowledge and aptitude to almost build their own PC, others may be put off by this and shy away.

When asking a group of my friends how often they write (on a piece of paper) a letter, many replied by saying that most of the time they use a PC or only ever write on paper to fill out a form. It would appear that more people prefer to type emails rather than they do to write a letter. Yet many still write notes on a scrap of paper, and then type it all up onto the nearest computer on a word document.

Have we lost the energy to write with a pen or are we moving onto a more improved generation of writing packed with spell checkers and word counts? Personally, as long as the sentence structure and letters form a word that produces meaning and sense, it makes no difference whether people choose to hone their skills on a computer via ECDL courses, or choose to buy copious amounts of paper to write to their loved ones living across the globe.

Very few people in the UK do not possess a computer at home, often used for the internet. The internet in turn has become the primary source for quick information. Often I find myself questioning what I would have done without the internet (quite possibly taking long visits to the library reading books!), as would most people of my generation.