Today and Tomorrow

I marvel at  the technology that is changing our lives in new, different ways., but what is incredible is the RATE of change.  A website you saw last week  may not be there tomorrow..  It’s fascinating!   The only thing you can depend on is change itself.

Phones used to be just to make calls.  Computers used to be used for data and spreadsheets.  Now they both do both,  and a whole generation is used to it already!  These are exciting times!

If you feel the changes are coming too fast for you,  don’t  worry…  I have long since learned there are many things that just have to be accepted,  then I  learn to adapt.

Please join the discussion with your comments.

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Sorry,  December and the Holidays did a number on me.. but I’m back at life now.  Thought it might be a good time to look back and see just how my iPad has done for me.  Remember, I got it for Christmas last year.

Could I do without it?  Sure.. but I’m glad I have it.   It has NOT taken the place of my laptop.. and never will.

Is it a good Senior computer??  No, I don’t think so.  Email is very small and hard to read.. Typing to send one out too inconvenient.  Internet is Just OK.

What I do enjoy is being able to watch TV shows that I’ve missed. and  a quick catchup on CNN news of interest that isn’t on the TV.  I do enjoy some quick games, (it’s really good for that)  and I do like to get books “instantly” on the Kindle app.  However, that will never replace all the good sensations of reading a real book.  Is all that worth $400-500??  Not really.

Now,however.. we have the Kindle FIRE!   I don’t know about TV show capability, but I’d say we’re definitely going in the right direction!  $200 is a great starting point., as long as it isn’t limited to just Amazon bought books.  I download mine free from my library.

How many times have you said one of those questions?? As we get older..   heck, my daughter is worse than I am! SOLUTION FOUND!
A website (naturally)  http://www.findonefindall.com/  and I get nothing in return for this plug.  This is a wonderful invention!  Wireless sender/receivers small enough to attach TO the things that are constantly “lost”.

The innovation is just that… Find one of the “things”, and you can send a signal to find ANY one of them.  THe clever lady who thought of this will be blessed EVERY time we use it!

CHECK IT OUT!    http://www.findonefindall.com/   affordable, too!

I decided it is time to take a look at what Google has in store for us.   Now, I don’t like “social networking”.  I have NO desire to “tweet” what I’m having for dinner.. and I don’t want to “follow” a million and one people I don’t know..  That said,  social networking is maturing (finally)… and being very useful for people to make connections they need  for jobs, referrals, finding out things they need to know.

So if you’d like to find out more about it.  there’s a demo site arranged to have a look:   http://www.google.com/+/demo/

This surprised me.. but branding is everything, I guess.

Mashable.com quote:

“Say goodbye to the Picasa and Blogger names: Google intends to retire several non-Google name brands and rename them as Google products, Mashable has learned.

The move is part of a larger effort to unify its brand for the public launch of  Google+, the search giant’s social initiative.

Blogger and Picasa aren’t going away, of course — they’re two of Google’s most popular products. Instead, according to two sources familiar with the matter, Google intends to rename Picasa “Google Photos” and Blogger will become “Google Blogs.”

Ah, more change.  This will probably happen soon.

The “New Look” for the site is now up.. I hope you like it, because I do. Not complete by any means.. but sometimes you just have to “push the button” and do it. This next week will be fixing glitches!
Please comment if you like it.

Even though I’m back at my “day job”,  I’m still working like crazy on developing the “New Look” for the site.  I hope you will like it.   Some items are taking a lot more work than I expected.. but I have a certain idea.. you know.

The beginners will have their own section, and the main site will be more about “exploring” the fantastic sites that pop up everyday.  I hope you  will tell me about your favorites.

I REALLY BELIEVE in talking to Santa!!

I’ve been playing with my Christmas gift  for 6 days now.. and I waited to write about it,  so it wouldn’t be all superlatives.. but oh my, I am having fun!

My wonderful children gave me an Ipad.. and it’s given me lots to explore.

As one writer (can’t remember who)said:  the Ipad is definitely for consuming.  It is for entertainment, whether it’s videos,  movies, books or news.  Yes, you can do email,  and surf the Net.   That makes it a GREAT candidate for a Senior computer.  AND the next model will have a camera and SKYPE for video phone calls to the family.

It’s lightweight, and portable.  It’s simple!  Everything is no more than a tap or a slide on a touch screen.  One, two touches, and I have a book to read.  One touch and I’m watching a video of a flash mob singing or dancing..  even old clips of Laugh In!!!

With the addition of a wireless keyboard and a stand, it could replace a laptop.. but I have to admit.. I still love my old Sony for writing.

So, sorry.. but my Kindle book is waiting for me… on my Ipad!

I’d like to give some cautionary advice to anyone who is considering giving a computer  or smart phone to some lucky person.

These are very PERSONAL choice items, believe it or not.. even more so than preference in perfume or clothes.  It is NOT a good idea to give as a surprise!  The recipient’s preferences need to be considered.. so shopping together,  or gift cards are the better way to go.  Save the surprises for movie tickets!

OK.. maybe the Senior doesn’t know what to prefer.. but discussion is still needed to know how they might want to use it..

Check the article at www.senior-computer-help.com/buying-a-computer.html for specific things to consider.

Santa:  I’d really be good for an Ipad!