You are right, the basic operations for people should be more robust. Perhaps something that automatically backs up Office Documents every night to limit work that is lost? Continuing to ship recovery discs with machines? There are many approaches to this problem but each with its own peril. The solution could be lucrative.
However, I understand the fear of the machine though. Most people are fearful when they first begin to drive, first begin to use power tools or begin to fire weapons in uncontrolled, unsupervised scenarios.
But cars, power tools, and firearms have significant potential for severe bodily harm.
Computers, assuming you're simply using the machine and not trying to stick objects into the power supply, don't. It's ridiculous the fear some people have of simply using a computer.
I remember a line from some short-lived sitcom Tony Danza once starred in. Speaking to his new computer, he says, "You look like a TV, but you're not a TV. You're an evil TV." There's an anxiety and apprehension with computers that, IMO, exceeds the bounds of rationality.
No, you cannot physically harm yourself by using a computer.I think the fear is that they have no idea how it works and how they might break it. A person hates to feel stupid and they hate feeling helpless. I think for this reason they avoid it. Most people now feel comfortable driving cars but are terrified of opening the hood. I think most people are like that with computing, but they don't understand what "maintenance" they should really be doing.
I could be entirely wrong though. I think it is very difficult for those of us that understand technology to understand how those people must feel about things. It is for me at least.
As others have alluded to, the fear does not stem from thinking that the computer is going to kill you. It stems from thinking "If I break this thing, I'm up for $$$$." and "If I break this thing, I won't be able to complete my work." and "If I break this thing, I'm going to feel stupid."
However, I understand the fear of the machine though. Most people are fearful when they first begin to drive, first begin to use power tools or begin to fire weapons in uncontrolled, unsupervised scenarios.