In my former, pre-child life, I was a self-taught computer dweeb. It’s not at I had a typical immersive love affair with them, but I did (and still do) get that computers are pretty useful, quite fun, and capable of making my life a lot easier in various ways. (The reverse is also true more often than I would like: things can get pretty thick in geek central over here.)

Something at has greatly facilitated my deftness with a mouse and keyboard is that I am NOT AFRAID. That’s right: I twiddle with settings and stuff and don’t sweat it. I do put a fair amount of effort into remembering what things started out looking like, and I tend to be methodical with changes – ONE AT A TIME, BUCKO! – but if I have to, I’ll just wade in with no clue.

If you have an ounce of knowledge about what you don’t know, it’s easy to be timid. But throw in a touch of courage, and a dash of “what the fuck?” and you can go far.

Be sure you back up first, though.