If you read only one post on my entire blog, please read this one.
I remember a number of years ago, my mom stated that “computers are a fad and this internet thing will never catch on.”. She was wrong, and really wrong. Computers and the internet are here to stay. But they are not stay-ing still. Technology advancements are . . . well . . . advancing! Every day.
We, at 50 years of age have a lot of years left and, for me, it sometimes feels as if I’m being left behind, that I’m in a foreign land and I don’t know the language.
Learn, at least, the computer basics . . . please!
Chances are, if you’re reading my blog, you do have a general knowledge of the computer (at least enough to get on the internet) so I implore you to pass this message on to others – friends, family, coworkers – that maybe don’t have this general knowledge.
I’m lucky that my job requires me to use the computer and I have had to keep up to date on the basics (I have a tech guy that takes care of everything beyond the basics) but I know people who haven’t been this lucky and they are now having trouble getting a job. Even a job that they are fully qualified for in every way except for “computer skills”
I understand that many people our age don’t care about technology or want to live more simply, off the grid as they say. I was one of those people until my kids got older and I started noticing the things they were doing with all of this technology and they started to teach me. I realized then that I was getting too far behind and that I wasn’t getting a chance to experience the good side of technology.
My epiphany came when, long after everyone had already been involved, I finally decided to sign up for Facebook. There was someone I wanted to re-connect with and had heard that this was a good way to do that. I have since re-connected with so many people from my past. I’ve had coffee and lunches with girlfriends I knew in school, attended mini high school and college reunions organized through Facebook and stayed in touch with co-workers after leaving a job.
Facebook is only one of the positive experiences you can have with technology, we will discover more.
But you need to know the basics!
In my opinion (and it’s only my opinion) the minimum that every adult should know is:
1. Working with computer hardware:
• turning the computer/tablet/laptop on and off
• recharging the battery
• using a mouse/touchpad – moving the cursor and highlighting
• basic keyboard functions – backspace, enter/return, spacebar, delete, tab, shift and caps lock
• basic typing skills
2. Using a word processer (such as Microsoft Word)
• finding, opening, running and closing a program
• opening an existing or creating a new document
• using basic formatting functions
• saving and printing a finished document
3. Get Online
• finding and opening a web browser
• opening a website
• searching
• understanding links
4. Email
• creating and using an email account
• sending and receiving an email
• adding and retrieving attachments
This all may sound overwhelming but it really doesn’t take much to learn these basic skills and there are so many resources around to help you get there.
Some resources include:
• Most libraries offer computer basics courses, very often for free.
• Check your parks and recreation guide. These courses may not be free but they are not unreasonably priced and you may be able to write off the cost on your taxes.
• Some high schools offer extra credit to senior students who sign up to teach older adults the computer (Many of the courses may be exclusive to “seniors”. Do NOT let this scare you away. If you are not yet a “senior” then lie about your age. We used to do it to get into bars).
• There are also so many basics courses on line. However, if you’re able to get on line, you probably already know the basics. Look at these anyway, there are likely areas that you could use more information on.
I hope this helps to encourage you to get yourself and the people you care about updated on the new technology that is out there. In the age where it is now technology that is keeping people in touch, I see friends of mine becoming more and more isolated as they get left further and further behind.
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Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
