What's New at Senior Computer Help.com

Feb 4, What is Wi-Fi?

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:54:57 GMT

In the interest of accuracy, the following are excerpts from the website “How Stuff Works”. I recommend it highly. A wireless network uses radio waves, just like cell phones, televisions and radios do. In fact, communication across a wireless network is a lot like two-way radio communication. Here's what happens: A computer's wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and transmits it using an antenna. A wireless router receives the signal and decodes it. The router sends the information to the Internet using a physical, wired Ethernet connection. The process also works in reverse, with the router receiving information from the Internet, translating it into a radio signal and sending it to the computer's wireless adapter. Being able to connect to the Internet in public “hotspots” is extremely convenient. Wireless home networks are convenient as well. As long as they all have wireless adapters, several devices can use one router to connect to the Internet. A wireless router allows you to use wireless signals or Ethernet cables to connect your computers to one another, to a printer and to the Internet. Most routers provide coverage for about 100 feet (30.5 meters) in all directions, although walls and doors can block the signal. . This connection is convenient, virtually invisible and fairly reliable; however, if the router fails or if too many people try to use high-bandwidth applications at the same time, users can experience interference or lose their connections. _ from the website How Stuff Works Now that most computers and new printers have wireless built in, many people have their own WI-Fi network, also known as a LAN, or Local Area Network. IF you don’t have proper encoding protection to keep it to yourself, your close neighbors can “piggy-back” and use it too.

Jan 11, Gee, I wonder why I'm not hearing from anyone?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:21:46 GMT

I discovered today that the link wasn't working for the Comment page! My brain really is slowing down! I apologize. I'll fix them gradually (one page at a time) so please go to one of the first pages to send comments or questions.

Nov 8, Social Networking

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:06:57 GMT

The Why and How of Social Networking

Oct 17, How to use Web Search to find most Anything!

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:03:52 GMT

Learn how to find information or websites quickly.

Oct 10, SKype

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:44:26 GMT

SKype, the great calling site for family video calls and even gaming

Oct 10, Junk Email

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:27:15 GMT

How to keep the junk mail (and viruses) out of your email Inbox

Oct 8, Friends and Family

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 19:26:27 GMT

Explore the possibilities that the computer gives you for social connections, like Facebook, Twitter, fun with hobbies and games, buying and selling, and even working from home.

Oct 5, Shutdown Correctly

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:34:54 GMT

How to Shutdown the Computer Correctly

Jul 30, The elephant in the room...

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:17:55 GMT

A lot has been written to encourage Seniors to "get online". It's fun and it's convenient. The elephant in the room that no one's talking about is the very good reasons NOT TO. Seniors have been around a while.. they've done a lot of things. They have the experience to know what's good for them, and what's not. Except for this computer thing, this Internet! There are dangers for Seniors on the Internet. Those who use it everyday know the obvious ones, such as not keeping their computers protected from viruses, etc.. and not using strong passwords to protect vital information. When we help a senior learn to use the Internet, it's our responsibility to be very sure they understand about Internet Protection. It's too easy for predators to find a way to steal. But the real dangers for Seniors are not actually part of the Internet. They are part of ourselves, and the dangers are much worse than just losing money. As we get older, the day to day frustrations get bigger. We get very angry at our bodies, or our minds, for not "keeping up". That frustration is taking a toll. It's killing us, slowly. Some are able to handle it a lot better than others. We need to be honest about it, we need to realize if this is becoming a problem. Just one more problem of getting older. We can't do what we used to do. It seems, suddenly, we just can't understand something. THAT's the danger signal our bodies are giving us. Frustration has a big brother.. and we've all met him. Anxiety. When we realize we've already gotten in over our head, that we've ignored some of the early signals.. he pops up.. and he's deadly. Too much anxiety, too much frustration are killers. Ask any Doctor about stress and aging. You and you alone can look at your feelings and know what's best for you. Stand back and take a good look. Is your frustration just something temporary, because you're not feeling well.? Or have you felt a lot of it lately? Then it's time to back away from the computer. A lot of Seniors have decided they got along without them for a long, long time.. and they can get along without them now. Don't EVER let it get more important than seeing people face to face, or physical activity if you can. Every so often, do yourself a quick checkup. Is there more frustration than fun? Am I brave enough to know when I need to "retire" voluntairily? Just like driving.. there's a time to quit. We just have to face it. Don't let the computer KILL you

Apr 22, Confusions,Irritations, and Annoyances

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:18:32 GMT

We all have things happen while using the computer that confuse, irritate or annoy us. Here's some of the common ones with help to understand.

Mar 18, New design

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 23:55:25 GMT

Finally, with a lot of help, the new design is up.. I hope you like it. Now, I can get working on new pages of information for you.. Please use the Comment page to let me know what you'd like to hear about. Thank you for your patience.

Jan 1, New Year 2011

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:01:04 GMT

Best Wishes for a Great New Year to all our readers, whereever you are! Mine started off with a WOW! fantastic Christmas gift from my kids, a new IPAD! Read all about it in the Blog, Today and Tomorrow.. (link at top of page). It's time we all had more fun! Just so it won't come as a surprise to you, I'm thinking hard about changing the direction of the site towards more enjoyment of your computer, as I wanted to from the beginning. We'll talk about hobbies, social networking.. all the Fun stuff you've been waiting for. Remember, it's a lot more fun for me, when I hear from YOU. Please write to me with the Comment form.

Nov 12, Blogging

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:00:27 GMT

At the top of the pages, there is a tab to take you to my blog, which is where I can write about anything interesting to me.. and I hope you will like it too. Please try it now, won't you??

Oct 26, About Me

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:09:39 GMT

A short background about me, my teaching experience and new services.

Oct 23, Fun

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 04:52:35 GMT

There are so many ways to find fun on the computer(besides games), that these suggestions are just a start.

Aug 22, Windows 7 Start Menu

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:37:23 GMT

How to use the Windows 7 Start Menu effectively, and how to customize it for the way you work, including finding documents.

Aug 9, Special Tips and Shortcuts

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:30:05 GMT

A Bonus page of computer tips to remember.

Jul 26, Electronics Recycling

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:17:54 GMT

Here are some resources for getting rid of your old electronics

Jul 23, How to Download

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:14:20 GMT

Everything you need to know about downloading files; the why, why not and how to.

Jul 22, Favorites

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:51:42 GMT

How to mark a favorite or bookmark, depending on what browser you use

Jul 21, Your Body

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:09:25 GMT

Using a computer affects your body in many places. Learn how it changes your brain, and your posture. There are many products that can help your comfort and ability to use your computer.

Jul 21, How to Sit at the Computer

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:26:24 GMT

Protect your body from damage by learning how to sit correctly, with your chair and keyboard in proper positions.

Jul 18, Buying a Computer

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:22:13 GMT

When buying a computer, new or used, you want it to be the right choice for you.. Learn how to choose.

Jul 3, Computer Maintenance

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 00:51:28 GMT

Computer Maintenance needs a routine to help protect against viruses, Trojans, and Registry corruption.

Mar 6, Working In The CLoud

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:52:40 GMT

This year has seen more and more offerings of services "in the cloud". Does that sound a little, (or a lot) strange to you.? It is one more evolutionary change in the way we do things with computers. Simplest explanation is: Instead of storing a file or document on your own computer, it is saved "in the cloud", in cyberspace.. (or in reality) on some other company's servers elsewhere. It is a web-based service. The advantages of this are • If your computer crashes, all is not lost. Your most valuables file are safely protected elsewhere. That's important. • You can reach your document from any computer (or phone) with a web browser. That can be important. • If you need to collaborate with someone else, they can see the shared document as well, from their browser. General fact is: You usually have to pay for your storage monthly. Plans start at about $5/mo, and vary by space requirements. This is easy for you to try out.. Google Docs is free. Just go to www.docs.google.com. You have a limit of 1024 MB for simple storage, (so it won't hold all your photos) and an unlimited amount for formatted "Google Docs" which can be worked on by several people in different places. Picasa.com and Flickr.com are ones where you can store your photos, to share online (or not).. There are others, like Photobucket.com. Storing your treasured family photos onlline is a great idea. Never know when there's going to be a fire, and it's nice to be able to share them with family members you don't see often.

Feb 21, Editing Digital Photos

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:59:53 GMT

Learn to edit your diigital photos to have the right size for email, crop them to look better, and adjust the light when you really didn't take that great of a picture!

Feb 21, Questions and Answers

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:44:25 GMT

Questions submitted by our readers and the answers that I have given with links to other helpful websites.

Jan 12, Check out the "Desktop" page...

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:25:40 GMT

This will be a familiar page to some, but I've added some important information at the bottom about User Accounts..

Jan 12, Customizing Your Desktop

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:22:36 GMT

How to arrange your Desktop to look and work the way

Dec 5, How Can I get away from email spam trash?

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:58:26 GMT
Some answers about eliminating obscene trash emails

Dec 5, How to make a website

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:57:40 GMT
Some answers about making a website

Dec 5, What's the Best Laptop for a Senior in a Residence Home?

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:56:50 GMT
Several recommendations for buying a computer for a SEnior living in a Residence Home

Dec 4, Advertising Disclosure

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:16:34 GMT
This is an advertising disclosure as required by the FTC.

Nov 10, Accessibility Aids

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:28:19 GMT
Information about accessibility aids, for those with physical disabilities including links ro organizations, resources and product pages

Nov 6, Windows-7

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:07:29 GMT
Information you

Oct 19, Vital information to Ensure your Online Financial Safety

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:13:40 GMT
Vital information to ensure your financial safety while shopping, banking, or selling online.

Oct 5, Some ways to have more FUN in your life!

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:32:33 GMT
Be sure to include some fun in your life. There are so many ways to have fun with your computer, so this is an introduction to some ideas.

Oct 5, Background behind the Internet

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:32:31 GMT
An brief overview of the background history and basic terms of the Internet

Sep 22, Do you need some Extra INCOME?

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:29:19 GMT
SBI has several different ways for you to make money, while you make a great website.

Sep 22, Exciting new research in Brain Health

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:29:18 GMT
Recent research in brain health confirms that we can actually create NEW brain cells as we age.

Sep 20, Windows Combination Keys Shortcuts

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:38:01 GMT
Using Windows combination keys is a fast way to accomplish routine windows tasks, such as Save Document, Undo a mistake, and Close the application.

Sep 19, More Information

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:59:47 GMT
Helpful websites where you can get more information.

Sep 19, Email

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:42:52 GMT
An explanation of email, email addresses, and Netiquette, with guidelines

Sep 19, How to Use your Internet Browsers

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:08:46 GMT
Explanation of what a browser is, how to use it and the choices available.

Nov 24, Your Home Page

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:47:35 GMT
How to choose your Home Page and customize it