I think its a valid question, that I personally cannot answer. I'm sure they got by just fine, it just took a lot more time and work! I'm so grateful for computers!
For the past three days at work, our network has been shut down. And without my computer, I am completely at a loss. I can't do anything here! I've got long lists of things I have to do once the computers are up and running again.
Luckily I've got the internet! So here I am, trying to make it through the day, blogging.