This is where the fun starts but before I begin I want to say to my contemporaries out there that they don't know what they are missing, if they haven't got a computer there in some corner, connected to broadband and always on line. Somehow its your ear and eyes to the world, to your friends and relatives, whether scattered around the planet or just down the road.
When broadband began to be a feature in Ireland somebody said it would have an effect on Irish life similar to that experienced when electric power was first distributed. I would agree entirely with that statement so here I am, spreading the gospel!.
Considering the basic equipment necessary to get started, most people are surely familiar by now with the picture of a standard system, consisting of a monitor, usually a tower computer, a keyboard and the control freak, the mouse! This, together with a connection to an ITP (internet service provider), is sufficient to begin browsing and email activity, even with the dial-up system, reminiscent of my childhood on Bere Island when the postmistress could be seen frantically cranking the old handset and pausing occasionally with a hopeful “hello Bantry- hello Bantry”.
The door is now open to a host of facilities, too numerous to list... OK! Here are a few to whet the appetite; order your groceries and have them delivered; read a book review and maybe order it on-line; listen to a sample of a piece of music on a CD and order it on-line; check Goldenpages on-line; search for a particular business; search for an item hard to find locally, which will probably turn up on eBay; settle an argument; spend some interesting time on ‘search’ programmes but... do take care not to become a ‘google’ bore!
In practice, it is highly likely that most seniors organisations or groups have already been aware of the various computer courses available at, to quote one example, the local library, which will probably also have on-line facilities available to the public.
All such introductory courses usually include essential guidelines on how to perform basics such as emailing and browsing.
In addition, at the present time in Ireland, family units invariably include persons who, either through school or employment, are skilled enough to teach and help the elders in their initiation with the world of computers.
When broadband began to be a feature in Ireland somebody said it would have an effect on Irish life similar to that experienced when electric power was first distributed. I would agree entirely with that statement so here I am, spreading the gospel!.
Considering the basic equipment necessary to get started, most people are surely familiar by now with the picture of a standard system, consisting of a monitor, usually a tower computer, a keyboard and the control freak, the mouse! This, together with a connection to an ITP (internet service provider), is sufficient to begin browsing and email activity, even with the dial-up system, reminiscent of my childhood on Bere Island when the postmistress could be seen frantically cranking the old handset and pausing occasionally with a hopeful “hello Bantry- hello Bantry”.
The door is now open to a host of facilities, too numerous to list... OK! Here are a few to whet the appetite; order your groceries and have them delivered; read a book review and maybe order it on-line; listen to a sample of a piece of music on a CD and order it on-line; check Goldenpages on-line; search for a particular business; search for an item hard to find locally, which will probably turn up on eBay; settle an argument; spend some interesting time on ‘search’ programmes but... do take care not to become a ‘google’ bore!
In practice, it is highly likely that most seniors organisations or groups have already been aware of the various computer courses available at, to quote one example, the local library, which will probably also have on-line facilities available to the public.
All such introductory courses usually include essential guidelines on how to perform basics such as emailing and browsing.
In addition, at the present time in Ireland, family units invariably include persons who, either through school or employment, are skilled enough to teach and help the elders in their initiation with the world of computers.
My experience in the area has shown the benefits of using voluntary input where possible. In this example I would envisage forming voluntary groupings of 'techies' where necessary, with the express function of being available on callout.
Earlier posts in this study have expressed the point that future involvement of seniors in ICT will extend beyond the day-to-day uses as described. Thus we will now set out to explore those possibilities and the changes necessary to implement them.
Earlier posts in this study have expressed the point that future involvement of seniors in ICT will extend beyond the day-to-day uses as described. Thus we will now set out to explore those possibilities and the changes necessary to implement them.
No comments:
Post a Comment