Gizmoe - Senior Net New Plymouth

October 2012
Gizmoe
This is the third edition of
Gizmoe!
My apologies, I had hoped to have this edition out before now! Better late than never! The last
edition for the year will be sent on 7th December along with a schedule for Gizmoe newsletters for
2013.
Gizmoe will also be posted on our website www.seniornet.co.nz
20 years of SeniorNet in New Zealand
SeniorNet started in New Zealand 20 years ago. Wellington was the first location and to mark the
occasion SeniorNet Wellington held a celebration in the Wellington Town Hall. Casting our minds
back to the opening of that first SeniorNet Learning Centre not many of us (if any of us!!) would have
thought the concept of seniors teaching seniors computing and technology skills would have caught
on the way it has done. Of course back then it was a novelty to have a computer in the home and
not something many could afford or even want. Now with 86% of the population connecting to the
internet at regular intervals in the course of every week it’s a novelty not to have a computer at
home.
Profiling Freeview
Hawkes Bay and the West Coast have made the switch from analogue to Digital Television on the
30th September and they didn’t feel a thing! It seems it all went swimmingly. Hardly a big surprise as
our partners at Freeview plus the Going Digital division inside Government put a huge effort into
helping us understand what we need to do before the switch-over occurred. Check out the article in
this edition on Freeview and take part in the forum.
Suzuki popular with SeniorNet.
All around the country SeniorNet people took advantage of the special offer to test drive a Suzuki
motor vehicle some being so impressed they went on to buy one! I have been lucky enough to have
a Suzuki Splash on loan from Suzuki New Zealand Ltd for several months and I have been astounded
at the performance, comfort and economy - a tank of petrol from Warkworth to Wellington is
spectacular! If you want to take advantage of purchasing privileges you will need to email me first. I
will then provide you with a unique number to take to a dealer identifying you’re a SeniorNet
member.
Grant Sidaway – Executive Officer SeniorNet Federation
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TEDTalk
Have you heard of TED – not the bear kind we cuddled up to as kids or the nickname given to the
barefaced ex All Black coach (Graham Henry)!
TED - Technology, Entertainment, Design - began (in 1984) as a one-off event but then in 1990 it
became an annual conference. TED Bring together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers,
who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes or less).
TED of course is now on the internet, what isn’t you say! You can select to watch and or listen from a
broad range of topics.
Choose your own particular interest or theme from a list that includes Technology, Entertainment,
Design, Business, Science, global issues and more or search the name of a particular presenter. Past
presenters include Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Gordon Brown, Richard Dawkins, Rodney Mullen, Bill Gates,
educator Salman Khan and Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
Almost 1,000 TEDTalks are now available, with more added each week. These videos are released
under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license, so they can be freely shared and reposted.
Many people like a daily dose of TED, if you have not
experienced a TED Talk give it a try.
Caution – best viewed or listened using a broadband
Here’s the direct link to TED http://www.ted.com
What were you doing 20 years ago?
Twenty years ago SeniorNet started in New Zealand. The concept started in San Francisco where a
few years earlier university research indicted seniors (55 plus) would be disadvantaged through lack
of technology training in the up-coming computer age. Seniors teaching Seniors seemed a likely
solution and 20 years on we surely agree. What started with just one Learning Centre and a handful
of fairly nervous people in Wellington has grown to over 80 Centres with highly skilled and
motivated tutors teaching the latest technology to around 17,000 people. SeniorNet is the largest
computer/technology training facility in the country.
So what was it like 20 years ago? Here are a few things to jog your memory.
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Microsoft introduces Windows 3.1. Selling over 1 million copies
within the first 2 months of its release.
Internet Society in New Zealand is formed
Microsoft Works released by Microsoft
AT & T release video telephone for US $1,499
The first Nicotine patch is introduced to help stop smoking
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Space Shuttle Endeavour successful maiden voyage
Suzuki Swift first launched in New Zealand
Student loan system started in New Zealand
There were less than 2,000 internet .co.nz domain names registered – there’s now
over 400,000 registered
A Computer for the home typically would have cost you $3,500 plus $1,200 for a
printer.
Typical 1992 Computer
So what’s ahead of us? Here are a few predictions from a few scholars’:
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By 2019 Web applications have reached startling levels of sophistication, especially
where search engines are concerned. These not only find keywords in a search, but
also interpret the context and semantics of the request, often with voice recognition
software. Natural language processing had already begun to emerge some years
earlier with Siri and other such tools. Users can ask highly specific questions (such as
"I'd like to see a comedy at the cinema after
9pm, then have an Italian meal in the suburbs
for less than $20") and receive detailed
answers customised to their exact
requirements!
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In the next 10 years, we will see a 20-time increase in home networking speeds.
(Source: Cisco IBSG)
By 2020, a $1,000 personal computer will have the raw processing power of a human
brain. (Sources: Hans Moravec, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University).
Today, we know 5 percent of what we will know in 50 years. In other words, in 50
years, 95 percent of what we will know will have been discovered in the past 50
years.
By 2050 (assuming a global population of 9 billion), $1,000 worth of computing
power will equal the processing power of all human brains on earth. (Sources: Hans
Moravec, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 1998; Cisco IBSG, 20062009.
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Microsoft Windows 8
Here we go again another version of Windows to master. On October 26th Microsoft will launch its
latest version – Windows 8. Many have said “they had better get this right and we had better love it
or the march toward Apple and Android systems will grow even stronger”
That said there's a lot to like about Microsoft Windows 8. It can synchronise settings across all your
devices; the File History tool is perfect for simple backups; there are a host of useful new tools in the
Windows Store; it's fast, includes some excellent repair options, and the list goes on.
It’s not just what Microsoft has added to the Windows mix: it's what it has changed, or has been
taken away.
This version of Windows is not a simple incremental upgrade. Rather, Windows 8 has undergone a
major redesign which sees the Start menu scrapped, the desktop demoted, and years of interface
conventions tossed out!
The Start Screen
Log on to Windows 8 for the first time and you'll notice that the Start menu has been replaced by
the colourful new Metro Start Screen. A totally new look!
Of course the familiar Start menu provided us with easy access to every aspect of our system, for
instance: search, Windows tools, settings, installed programs, recent documents and more. There
simply isn't room to display all this on the Start Screen, though, and so many functions have now
been scattered around the system this making them much harder to find.
Experienced users may want to customise the start screen - but there's no Control Panel tile. The
Start Screen does have its own Settings dialog, but this is so hidden that many users will probably
only find it by accident (you need to move your mouse cursor to the top-left corner of the screen to
launch the Charms menu, and click Settings). And even then they'll be disappointed, as it doesn't
contain very much.
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Installing applications fairly simple, they'll extend the Start Screen with tiles of their own. What you
won't find is a Documents menu, though, or a clear way of pinning files to the Start Screen.
And it's not even obvious how to perform a simple task like shutting down or restarting your system.
In Windows 7 clicking the Start button was enough to point you in the right direction: now you have
to move your mouse cursor over to the top-left corner of the screen, hit the Settings option (not the
most obvious location), click Power and choose the option you need.
It's not all bad news! The Start Screen does include a simple menu which provides easy access to
some system tools: Control Panel, Task Manager, the Command Prompt and more (press Win+X to
see it).
Even better, if you press Win+F, or just start typing a search term, then you'll launch the Windows 8
search tool. Type "Note", say, to see a link for Notepad, or type part of a recent document name to
list that file. And if you ever find yourself unable to figure out how to perform some task, just type a
relevant term - "shut down", say - and click Settings for more helpful links.
Windows 8 displays results only for Apps, Settings or Files and while there are many more options
available (News, Travel, Store, more) it takes an extra click to view each one.
Still, the Win+X menu should reduce your initial frustrations, and if you find you're still lost then the
Search tool does a reasonable job of tracking down the information you need.
The trusted Taskbar
The taskbar isn't a reliable way to show running programs in Windows 8; users have to learn a whole
new Start Screen task management technique which is similarly incomplete; and so even a simple
task like switching can require a little more thought and effort than it did before.
That's just the start, though. The real problem with Metro apps comes when you want to run them
alongside something else, because by default they run full-screen. It's possible to run two alongside
each other, if your screen resolution is high enough (move the mouse to the top of the screen, click,
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drag and drop the thumbnail to the left to move one app to a sidebar, then run another), but that's
your limit.
Interface issues
Another Windows 8 issue comes in the way it sometimes splits functionality between similar Metro
and desktop tools. There's an Internet Explorer app on the Start Screen, for instance, but it doesn't
have all the functionality of the desktop version. And there's no way to switch from one to the other.
Or maybe you'd like to customise the look of your PC? You could launch "Personalize" in the Start
Screen's PC settings, or maybe "Ease of Access". But there are more options in the full Control
Panel's "Appearance and Personalisation" and "Ease of Access Centre". You can use the Search Tool
but I guess you only need to use that out of frustration because Windows 8 has added these extra
complexities in the first place.
Install applications and you'll discover other issues. In the past, if you added ten items to the Start
Menu it wouldn't matter as they were neatly hidden in a Start menu folder. Now, many are
automatically pinned to the Start Screen as separate tiles, so you're likely to spend more time
manually removing any you don't need (right-click, select Unpin...).
Figuring out how to close Metro programs can tease you a bit. There's no "x" top-right, no "File >
Exit" option, because Microsoft's intention is that Metro programs should happily run in the
background until the system decides they can be closed (if your PC needs more resources, say).
You can shut them down with the mouse: just move your mouse cursor to the top of the screen until
it changes to a hand icon, then click, hold, and drag it to the bottom of the screen. But as usual with
Metro, there are no interface cues to even show you this is possible. So the best approach might just
be to press Alt+F4, which always closes the active program, whether you're on the desktop or
running a Metro app – shortcut keys still the great saver!!
Windows 8 may be confusing at first, and perhaps take an extra click or two, but once you've learned
the basics then life will mostly return to normal!
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Don't let me put you off entirely, there's plenty to like about Windows 8 and it's worth taking a look
at the Release Previews yourself. Just be ready for some frustrations, we are well use to that: there
are many significant changes, and even mastering the Windows 8 basics could take quite some time
but as before you will get there and when you do you will wonder what all the fuss was about!.
Our partner Top-Windows-Tutorials/ACEL systems has produced a very good set of free tutorials
about Windows 8, here is the link for you to see some basic features.
http://www.top-windows-tutorials.com/windows-8.html
The Federation is working with Top-Windows –Tutorials/ACEL and will be producing a complete set
of training videos available to all Centres soon after the launch date – keep an eye out for them.
Freeview Forum
The Freeview Forum is an online community where you can
learn everything there is to know about Freeview, including
how to get started.
There are options depending on how you want to use the site
- you can have a bit of a yarn with other forum members in
the Discussion Forum and get some great tips for upgrades and troubleshooting. It’s also a great
place to get help with ‘technical difficulties’, and given that it’s an online community it’s available
24/7 – and we’re always happy to step in to help out.
So feel free to take a gander around, you might want to stop by the Forum Basics for new Members
to get yourself acquainted. And take a bit of a squiz at the Community Guidelines – then you’ll be
away laughing!
Be in to WIN a Panasonic MyFreeview recorder or 1 of 5 $500 Prezzy Visa Cards
What do you say to that!
To enter the draw to WIN a Panasonic MyFreeview recorder or 1 of 5 $500
Prezzy Visa Cards, simply register on the Freeview Forum
www.freeviewforum.co.nz
Either start a chin-wag in the Discussion Forum or add a comment or a video.
It’s that easy - so get online now and check it out!
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New Learning Centres in the making
Three New SeniorNet Learning Centres are about to open.
Lincoln and Districts SeniorNet located in Lincoln just south of Christchurch have been in the
planning process for some time now and now they’re about to get started with classes. Thanks to
Lisa Larkin from the Community Care Group in Lincoln for having the energy and leadership require
to kick things off.
TOA Pacific SeniorNet in Otahuhu, South Auckland, will be our first Pacific Island SeniorNet Learning
Centre in the country. TOA (Treasuring Older Adults) is a well-established group in South Auckland
and we are delighted they have given encouragement and support to get this Learning Centre up
and going, they should be fully operational at the start of 2013.
Talitali fiefia TOA Pacific SeniorNet.
From a public meeting in Johnsonville, a northern suburb of Wellington, an establishment
committee has been formed with the backing of the Community Centre Board. Work is under way
to have a New Centre established as quickly as possible.
All three groups have shown great enthusiasm and are keen to make a difference in their respect
communities.
The Federation will do its best to help them along the way.
Fatso
Fatso is New Zealand’s biggest and best online DVD rental website. It is simple to use; just choose
your movies online and Fatso sends them to you via NZPost to your mailbox, for free. Fatso also
includes a return envelope inside, so the return mail is also free. What’s more – return the movies
and TV shows when you’re ready – there are no late fees!
Read reviews, rate movies, write your own reviews, and be a part of the Fatso community, for as
little as $9.95 per month.
With the country’s biggest selection of titles
to choose from, you’ll never need to go to
the video store ever again.
As an added bonus, if you sign up this month,
Fatso is giving all SeniorNet members a very
special offer; 1 month for absolutely free,
and, should you wish to continue, the next 6
months at 30% off ANY plan’s standard price.
To take up this offer – go to www.fatso.co.nz use the promo code: SENIORNET when you sign up.
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This offer is for first-time Fatso subscribers only, and your 1 month trial will be on the Standard Plan
(valued at $22.99 per month).
Go ahead and sign up for FREE movies today, with Fatso.
Gizmoe’s Tips for October
1. Read Websites More Easily on the iPhone
Stop struggling to read overcrowded Web pages on the iPhone's small screen. Instead,
tap the Reader button, found in the URL bar at the top of a Web page, and you'll see a
much clearer, predominantly text version of the page. Even better: This view hides
advertisements. It doesn't work with all websites. This also works on the iPad.
But there is one huge annoyance with Reader: the button doesn’t appear until after a
web page stops loading. This means, if you’re waiting for an entire web page to load, you
can often wait up to several minutes for the reader button to show up, even though you
can see the text of the article has loaded. The solution is simple:
When you see the article’s text and images have loaded, simply tap the X in Safari’s
address bar to stop the rest of the web page from loading. The Reader button will then
appear:
2. You don't need the http:// portion of a web page or even the www bit.
When typing an Internet address you do not need to type http:// or even www. in the
address. For example, if you wanted to visit TradeMe you could just type TradeMe.co.nz
and press enter. To make things even quicker, if you're visiting a .com address eg Apple
you can type Apple and then press Ctrl + Enter to type out the full address
www.apple.com .
3. Use Internet search engines to their full potential
Get the most out of every search result. If you're not finding what you want try
surrounding the text in quotes. For example, if you were searching for computer help
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this actually searches for pages that contain both computer and help and not necessarily
pages that have computer and help next to each other.
If you search for "computer help" with the quotes around the search query this will only
return pages that actually have computer and help next to each other.
4. Don't save your logon information
This applies when using a public computer (in libraries, internet cafes or any computer
not owned by you).
Always log out of websites by clicking "log out" on the site. It's not enough to simply
close the browser window or type in another address.
Many programs (especially social networking websites, web mail, and instant
messenger programs) include automatic login features that will save your user name
and password. Disable this option so no one can log in as you.
5. Remembering your passwords
Having just one password for all your computer internet requirements is very
dangerous in this online connected world. Keeping the same password for lengthy
periods is equally dangerous. Remembering them is a difficulty and writing them in
notebooks or on sticky labels tagged on computer screens is hardly acceptable and
defeats the purpose.
In this example here’s a way that might help.
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Think of two memorable short words and a number.
First word: cat
Second word: top
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Now a number (maybe someone’s birth year, reversed): 97
We’ve got cattop97
Play with upper-lower case combinations.
Now we’ve got caTtoP97.
Take this combination and make it the base of your unique passwords
Your TradeMe account. Grab the first letter of TradeMe, T and the last letter, e
Combine it with your master password and you get TcaTop97e
Other examples could be:
o For Gmail: GcaToP97l
o For Online Banking: BcaToP97g
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o For iTunes: icaToP97s
o Etc, etc
When it’s time to change passwords, maybe four times a year would be good, just think of two
more short words and a number to form your master password.
Noel Leeming – Purchasing Privileges for SeniorNet members
Have you been one of the thousands to take advantage of the savings when purchasing
from a Noel Leeming store? It’s a terrific deal and a real saver.
The discount deal for SeniorNet Members
When making a purchase from any of the Noel Leeming Stores a SeniorNet member
simply states that they are a member of SeniorNet and the salesperson will apply a
discount to the sale. Discounts apply to almost all items in every store, generally at the
rate of cost + 12% + GST.
The Sponsorship deal for the Federation
In addition to the generous discounts for members the Noel Leeming Group will pay a
rebate of 2% to the SeniorNet Federation on every sale. This will be a great help with
funding the Federation and the Learning Centres.
Even more help!
Tech Solutions, the in home installation specialists, also offer a 50% discount off their
basic home installation fee (normally $169.00 for up to 1.5 hours of work) for computer
and associated services, which include:
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Deliver, unpack and set-up of your new computer in your home
Transfer of data from your old computer to your new computer
Install updates prior to receiving your computer
Set-up your internet connection, including broadband.
Configure your wireless network connection
Install your printer
Install up to three software packages
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Like SeniorNet on Facebook
SeniorNet has a Facebook page. You can access our Facebook page from the SeniorNet
website www.seniornet.co.nz by clicking onto this icon on
the home page of the site.
We would like as many SeniorNet members as possible to
join us on Facebook by clicking the “like” button when on
Facebook and also adding a few posts would be good.
We have about 17,000 members in SeniorNet; let’s see if we can get 17,000 “likes”.
Apple, Microsoft or Android?
Over the next 12 months the race will intensify with all
three systems vying for market share. Who do you think
will show the greatest growth, will it be Apple, Microsoft or
Android systems? Place a post on our Facebook page with
your thoughts!
Quotes on closing
“The factory of the future will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man will be
there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the
equipment.” - Warren G. Bennis
"Technology is like a fish - The longer it stays on the shelf, the less desirable it becomes."
“I want to put a ding in the universe” – Steve Jobs (Founder of Apple)
“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” - Charlie Chaplin
End
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