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Thought for the Day - Feb 1
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Thought for the Day - Feb 1 |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: MK Date: 01 Feb 00 - 07:41 PM My parents who are 72 and 67 (Dad/Mom)are ''wired''. A couple of years ago, I was about to repay my Dad some money I'd borrowed, and my mom chirped ''Buy us a computer instead. We want to check out the Internet, and as well backup everything in our lives to hard disk.'' So I got them a really nice Dell system. When it arrived I went over to their place, set it all up, deleted all the pre-packaged garbage most new computers come bundled with, and tweaked and optimized all their settings. They even signed up for a course on using Windows at a local community college. (Why? I don't know.) 8-) I had even spent several evenings with them, showing them very basic things like how to save a file, how to format a floppy, how to put short-cut icons on their desktop, etc. Here it is two years later, and all they use this cpu for is to surf the web and e-mail. THAT...they know how to do. They still don't know how to save files or format a disk..but because I automated their connection to the Internet (by just clicking on an icon on their desktop)they spend a lot of time online each day, and love it. My Mother finally has the hang of Eudora, which is both a blessing and a course, because each day I get emailed two or three of the world's oldest and corniest Jewish jokes. I went over there last night to install a fax program, on their computer...and when it was all setup, my Dad comes in the room and says ''I don't understand. Where does the fax paper come out? Out of the monitor? Where!!!!? '' I made a screen saver for them before I left last night that reads: YOU ARE MEDDLING WITH FORCES YOU CANNOT POSSIBLY COMPREHEND! (sick bastard that I am)...but God Bless 'em. |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: JenEllen Date: 01 Feb 00 - 07:18 PM Ah Peter...once again you shine. There was once a very strange split between my grandafther and myself. I think it stemmed from the fact that his little buddy turned overnight into a (gasp!) GIRL. Gone were the days of dipping my pacifier into his whiskey, and then the sugar bowl, and rocking this little bundle of baby to sleep with songs. No more fishing and talking about the shapes of clouds. And when I finally reached a more mature state, the walls between us seemed impenetrable. I spent an entire weekend this fall getting him on line, and explaining the computer to a man who sat and listened patiently to this "stranger" in his home. That evening when I got home, there was an e-mail with the simple text: "HI GIRL, I LOVE YOU, GRAMPSIE"....I cried. Daily now, I receive messages. They have expanded from the first, but all have that same basic message. I have learned about his life, the "meetings" of war buddies who get together to give the Waffle House waitresses a rough time, and grammatical essays about all the uses for the word F*#K..(with a "P.S.: Don't tell your Gramma I sent you this") In short, I learn daily that I am loved. If you ever find a way to get these ideas about 'computers for all' off the ground, you let me know. I'll help in any way that I can to let others share in this joy. Elle
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 01 Feb 00 - 06:49 PM Many seniors are already online! My 82 year old uncle sends me jokes nearly everyday. When I visited him last summer we talked for nearly 12 hours straight about computer stuff. I've really enjoyed getting to know him, and I've learned a lot (besides the jokes). Many organizations are already in place that can encourage online involvement (senior citizen groups, retirement clubs, churches). Even public libraries now have Internet access and users groups to help with the techno stuff. But it seems that grandchildren are usually the ones who get their Grandma and Grandpa involved. Mary |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Linda Kelly Date: 01 Feb 00 - 06:24 PM Websites for the over eighties- what fun we could have inventing them, Denture.com pacemaker.co.uk cardi.com and finally, the infamous...custardcream.co.uk (I jest of course, but then my parents are banned from using the video remote because of the chaos they cause!)
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Áine Date: 01 Feb 00 - 05:58 PM Dear Peter T., That's a brilliant idea you have about getting Apple and Microsoft into the act! Why don't you write a letter outlining such a plan to them and see what happens? Like my mother used to say, all they can say is no. (And if they do, you can go to your local newspaper and squeal on them!). -- Áine |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Amos Date: 01 Feb 00 - 05:54 PM Marymac:
See the Song of the Mudcat Server Crash in the song book. |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Peter T. Date: 01 Feb 00 - 05:53 PM Hi Mary, I have an array of old Macs, from Powerbook 165, down to a IIfx, and something else somewhere. I can't remember if you can use an old version of Speeddisk -- that has certainly helped my IIfx from time to time (it defragments stuff). As for browsers, I have no idea what AOL is like: I use Netscape 3.01, which is the lowest I can get away with (you can still get it, and lower, at Netscape archives). Any higher, and it begins loading slower and slower. I have also found that, if you start off, before launching your browser, by dumping everything in your "Cache" folder (AOL probably uses some other name) -- that is, all the files saved automatically by your browser from the last time you were online -- things usually go faster. Other tricks would certainly interest me!! |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Peter T. Date: 01 Feb 00 - 05:39 PM I only wish I had the time to do it. Stories like Kath's father bug the hell out of me. Why couldn't students do it as part of a Youth Corps project funded by Apple and Microsoft? Seems so elementary to me. yours, Peter T. |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: GUEST,Marymac90 Date: 01 Feb 00 - 05:39 PM Dear Amos, Mbo, et al, This is practically the first mention I've heard of Macs on the Mudcat! Thank goodness someone else on a Mac is out there! I have a real old one, an LC520, that's slower tham molasses in Jan. on the net. I would love to talk with somebody who had any idea how to get it to respond a little faster. I use OS 7.1.2, and I have AOL 3.0, and that serves as my browser, too. Anybody got any ideas? Mary McCaffrey (who's often cookie-less because of emptying the cache frequently, in hopes that the mac won't go any slower!) |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Áine Date: 01 Feb 00 - 05:30 PM Dear Kath, Have you checked at the bookstore lately to see if there are any 'Internet for Dummies' type of books that would be user friendly enough for your dad? If there aren't any materials like that -- this would be a wonderful idea for someone to jump on! And we know that there is a market, and more importantly, a need for something like this; especially something aimed at the kind of folks that are hesitant to use a computer. What do you guys think? -- Áine |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: KathWestra Date: 01 Feb 00 - 05:03 PM Well, when you guys get the service up and running, head for Raybrook Estates in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where my dear old dad needs a little bit of technical hand-holding. My late Mom was a computer whiz -- first got acquainted in her early 60s, and continued as the family e-mail queen until her sudden death at 75 two years ago. My dad wistfully looks at the computer that she used so easily, and says he wishes someone could just come and help him figure it out. He's so isolated since Mom's death, that e-mail would be a wonderful outlet for him. So let me know when you get the van a-goin'. I've got a client for you. Loved the story, Peter. And 'Spaw too. Kath |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Amos Date: 01 Feb 00 - 11:26 AM Just don't let him get white gunk all over the screen fixing his typos! MbO the I-Mac is a great device, but I agree about the little meese -- they're inadequate. If Steve will just supply them, I'll be happy for to go, To wire up brand new G3s for all the Seniors-O! A |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: GUEST,Patrish Date: 01 Feb 00 - 11:11 AM I gave my Dad a computer last year. the first thing he did when he saw the windows screen was pick up the mouse and try to push the mouse actually on the screen.... He is not yet on-line but he know uses the computer to type up all his golfing stuff. He thinks its wonderful that you dont have to use tippex when you make a mistake! I dont think it will be long before he is internet bound Patrish |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: GUEST,Mbo Date: 01 Feb 00 - 11:03 AM Amos, iMacs are evil! Those cookie mice...**shudder** I'm on a regular tower Mac right now in computer art class--because I hate those little cheery cretin machines that everyone around me is using. --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Amos Date: 01 Feb 00 - 10:18 AM If the pay were right I would agree, to grab my tools and go To install I-Mac's in the rooms of all the Seniors-O! Peter T., you are hot! Gore could come up from behind on this program! A |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Peter T. Date: 01 Feb 00 - 10:15 AM 'Spaw, don't understand why some non-government group doesn't do what we did on a larger scale. Why not get a grant to wire up all these senior citizens, go to their homes, or even in homes for the elderly, check out their computer, with a backup help line in case of real trouble? What would you need -- five people, a van, and one real techhie who knew the difference between MICROSOFT and MAC? These days, you could probably get a grant to give people a computer. It would transform the lives of all kinds of people -- all they need is a little start up help, and some kind words. There are all these underused computers out there, and people to match. I suppose, as usual, the problem is not technical skill: it is finding people with enough courtesy to be invited into older people's homes, and to make them feel empowered, as opposed to useless around machines. Drives you crazy. yours, Peter |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: katlaughing Date: 01 Feb 00 - 10:10 AM They are everywhere! My Aunt Margaret turned 80 this last summer. She finally figured out email, so I sent her a couple of things, including a congrats on being so cyber-savvy. She sent me back a cryptic challenge, saying "Okay, I am ready to be more techno-savvy!" I shall send her a copy of this thread. She went to Washington DC to work during WWII and also turned a lot of heads. She has always been a prime role model of mine, a superb writer and killer wit. She refuses to go to her golf club anymore, becasue she says "they are just a bunch of old fogies who only moan and groan about their health." She tutors young children in reading twice per week. I know she will enjoy reading this immensely. Thanks, Peter! katlaughing |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: catspaw49 Date: 01 Feb 00 - 09:47 AM Timely story for me Peter. My Dad and his best childhood friend got married about the same time. Luckily, both wives hit it off too. They all became the best of friends. They each had a boychild about 3 months apart (one was me) and oddly enough...they became best childhood friends. Mark and I went separate paths, but still remain close. His Mom, Margaret, is the last one of our parents left and she has always treated me as a son. For Christmas, Mark got her a computer before going back to DC. I took a day and went back home and got her fixed up on the net and within three weeks, she is cooking right along. She's found several groups already and Saturday sent me a long e-mail asking a few questions. So I picked up the phone and called her. Her first question on the phone was, "Why aren't you using the e-mail?" Cracked me up!!! "Pat, I always love talking to you, but I'm having so much fun with the computer." So we talked for 25 minutes and then I sent her a long e-mail. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Amos Date: 01 Feb 00 - 09:36 AM Well done, Peter! Nicely bespoke, too! A |
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Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Áine Date: 01 Feb 00 - 09:23 AM Oh Peter, what a great story! Your Madge sounds like a real character. Just shows to go ya that you can *always* learn and grow as long you're drawing breath. I've come to realize how true the adage is, 'You learn something new every day'. -- Áine |
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Subject: Thought for the Day - Feb 1 From: Peter T. Date: 01 Feb 00 - 09:17 AM So I am visiting Madge, an old friend of my parents, who just turned 80, and she is just about housebound, though she still has that self-possessed quality that made her a fine war nurse and could turn a lot of heads in her time. She is complaining that her son gave her this monster computer and then went back to Bahrain (where he works) -- "I think he had this idea I would type my bloody memoirs, and I said where do I roll the paper in, and he just laughed". She can turn it on and type, and print. I say: "Why don't you get on the Internet?" She says: "Yes, of course, Peter my love, and exchange stock options with Bill Gates. You are out of your mind. I can't do this, it is for 12 year olds." I point out that if she can figure out her next door neighbour's mind (a long running feud), the Internet is cheap change. "I can't, I can't. I am just too decrepit". About 45 minutes later -- including one phone call and one trip to the wire store -- she is online. 2 months later (yesterday), I go back for a visit. We exchange flu horror stories, for about 5 minutes, because she is about to head out for the antiquarian group meeting she discovered on the net. She has a roll call of friends and chat groups that would stun an ox. Her den is wall to wall printouts. As I get up to leave, she says: "The Internet reminds me of my first husband. Once you got past the fact that he was shouting all the time about how wonderful he was, he was actually good for something." "Oh, yes, Madge, and what was that?" She laughed hysterically for about 30 seconds, and then headed for antiques.com, heritage@whatever dot.com, etc., etc. |
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