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3 Options:


Internet Explorer 8.0

Do you need to upgrade?



Windows XP
Service Pack 3


Do you need it?

* Update on Windows Live OneCare
December 2008

Microsoft to kill off Windows Live OneCare next year

The software giant has decided to replace OneCare with a free security solution (codenamed "Morro") to be released in the second half of next year.

Senior Moments

Aging Hipsters

Computer Use by Seniors May Help Their Mental Health

It's all about Papa's Computer

Older Americans and the Internet

Seniors Using Computers May Be Less Depressed

Surfing Net is Top Pastime for Seniors

There are several movie files throughout "Senior's Guide to Computers" demonstrating many techniques. For a complete list of all of them including links to each one, please visit the VIDEOS page.

I highly recommend the book "Windows XP for Seniors".
Available in large print.
Find more books.






Do any of the above terms seem confusing?
Do ALL of the above terms seem confusing?
Does looking at them give you a dull pain between your ears?
Does sending an email seem like a major accomplishment?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions then this web site is for you. For those of you who are entering the information super highway late in life and have children or grandchildren who know more about computers than Perdue knows about chicken, then welcome to the Senior's Guide to Computers. This web site is also perfect for computer beginners of all ages!

Join us as we show you the ins and outs of personal computers using simplified terms, examples, pictures and videos actually described in easy-to-understand English. Geek is not spoken here.

The following sections will cover every area necessary to turn your computer from a $1,000 paperweight to a valuable tool for productivity, communication, business, entertainment and much more:

The Basics - an overview of the main parts of a personal computer (PC) as it relates to your own physical office.

Accessibility - How to set up a computer for individuals with vision and other disabilities.

  • Accessibility Wizard
  • Color Vision Deficiency
  • Keyboard setup
  • Magnifier
  • Monitor setup
  • Mouse setup
  • Narrator
  • On-Screen Keyboard
  • Utility Manager
  • Voice Recognition Software

Backing up your data - Probably the single most important task you'll perform.

  • Benefits of offline storage
  • External hard drives
  • Making copies of your personal data to CDs and DVDs
  • Making images of an entire drive
  • Reviews of different backup software

Email

  • Email programs
  • Email attachments
  • How to handle spam
  • Phishing schemes
  • Safe email practices
  • Web-based email

Hardware

  • CD/DVD burners
  • Hard Drive storage
  • Keyboards
  • Memory
  • Mice
  • Monitors

Internet

  • Web Browsers:
    • Internet Explorer
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Opera
  • Connection types:
    • Cable modem
    • Dial-up
    • Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
  • Safe surfing
  • Search engines
  • Settings

Security

  • Anti-spyware software
  • Anti-virus software
  • Hardware Firewalls
  • Online banking
  • Online shopping
  • Software Firewalls
  • Windows Service Pack 2
  • Windows Update
  • Windows user accounts

Software

  • Financial
  • Free alternatives
  • Office Suites
  • Photo Management

Plus there is an invaluable "Senior's Guide to Computers Resource Center" featuring basic self-help computer guides, books, and software and hardware reviews. In addition, you will find links to other web sites with more detailed information. New and updated information will be added to the Guide on an ongoing basis so visit us often.

First lesson: a font is a set of characters that has the same typeface, style (italic, bold, etc.) and size. The font you're currently looking at is called Arial.

In order to maintain an accessible web site, we have provided the ability for you to choose between four different font sizes. In the left column of each page you will see four buttons representing four different sizes. Just click on the size that you feel most comfortable with and the size of the text will change.

If you want to find out more about laptop computers, we highly recommend a visit to Laptop Logic - a website dedicated to laptop reviews, articles, tips and how-to's related to notebook computers. Also have a look at the page listing cheap laptops specifically.

Ready? Let's get started.

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