Mouse Clix

By Hobie Lunin

FAQ's for the Uninitiated.

It is about time that I wrote an article for those Yardley News readers who do not have a computer. FAQ's are Frequently Asked Questions and I get many from people who think that they do not want to bother with the computer. Some think that they are too old to learn something so new or complicated. Frankly, I felt that way myself but now know how much it adds to my enjoyment of communications as well as the ability to stay in touch with many people who would otherwise be out of contact.

Q: Am I too old to learn? A: Good question! Many of my students are over 80 and are doing fine. It sure sounds to me like there is no age limit! Many people have said that using your brain at a later age is very positive for you.

Q: How do I know what to buy and what will it cost? A: It is a good idea not to get a super-dooper hot computer. Get something serviceable that will cost less than $800 complete. Take a hand me down from a son or daughter to get started on. Buy one at the Falls Township Senior center where the prices are frequently less than $100 and they will buy it back from you if you change your mind. Contact me directly at the Senior Center or by e-mail if you want purchasing advice.

Q: What does "on-line mean?" A: There are many things you can do in your computer like type letters to be sent regular mail, or play some games by yourself, even chess. However, if you want to send e-mail or see what is on the Internet you must have external access through a phone line or cable connection. This is what as meant by going "on-line."

Q: Is it going to cost me anything additional to send e-mail or get on-line? A: Not necessarily. Juno.com has free e-mail and many people find it serviceable. You can also visit the web (Internet) with Juno at no charge.

Q: What is the big deal about e-mail? A: It allows you to contact friends and family frequently without running up a phone bill or spending for postage.

Q: Who will teach me the basics? Most of the Senior Centers around here give lessons. If you are under 55, you may have to pay for lessons or have a friend teach you.

Q: Can I harm the computer by making a mistake? A: Not usually, that is a rare occurrence for beginners. I hear many problems are from youngsters who are fooling around without really knowing what they are doing.

Q: What is all the Windows business? Do I need to care about that? A: You will want Windows 95, 98, XP, or ME rather than anything older, like Windows 3.1. These are various models of the computer operating system.

Q: What if I do not type? A: I do not "type" either. I "hunt and peck.” Practice has allowed me to go faster now although speed is not particularly important.

Q: Do I need a Printer? A: No. You can get by without one for as long as you care to.

Q: Well, what do I need? A: A computer with Windows 95 or better, a monitor of 15" or larger, a mouse and keyboard and the connecting cables. You really do not need to have speakers. You will want to have a modem to connect for e-mail or the web (most, if not all new computers, come with an internal modem). You should have a grounded outlet and a plug-in strip with surge protection.

Q: I am a senior. What kinds of things of things would interest me? A: Aside from the e-mail, which seems to be the first thing seniors want to learn, the next most popular is games. Solitaire, Pokerino and other games of chance and skill are available as software to install in your computer. Next in popularity is looking for information on certain medical items. Then recipes, travel and maps for getting directions, keeping phone and address lists for easy reference, getting the news, and locating old friends.

Q: Is there some brand of computer you think is better than others? A: I think they are almost alike to a beginner. Concentrate on getting one you can afford that has all the things I have listed above. Do not go by yourself to buy one at a chain store. Somebody knowledgeable should go with you. Someone who knows you need nothing more than the basics without a lot of extra stuff that other people may want like accelerated graphics, network cards and the like.

Q: How do you set these things up and plug them in? A: Some stores offer this service. You can contact me and I can have someone come out and help you if you are a senior. On the other hand, you can just follow the instructions that come with the computer. The wires are color coded to make it easier and in most instances, the plugs cannot easily be switched.

Q: I wear bifocals (trifocals), will that be OK? A: No, I suggest a pair of reading glasses. If you use bifocals, you will be leaning your head back to see the screen and this will be hard on your neck. It is even worse for those with trifocals that may have trouble seeing the keyboard and then switching to the screen. If you can get away with something non-prescription, you can buy a pair of reading glasses inexpensively at the chain stores. Take some text with you and hold it about 18" from your eyes while you check to see which magnification is the best.

I hope that the answers to these questions will encourage some Yardley News readers to take the big step.

Hobie Lunin can be reached at mouseclix2@yahoo.com. Article archive is at http://mouseclix.tripod.com.