This information by www.Seniors.gov.au 

A computer is basically a highly sophisticated calculator. A computer is not intelligent, but it can do simple things like add numbers very quickly and without fault.

A computer can open up a whole world to people. A computer can let you do things like create letters and other documents, create your own pictures, and manage your finances quickly and easily. When combined with access to the Internet, a computer can enable you to communicate with family and friends around the world at low cost, and can give you access to a wide range of information on almost any topic you can imagine.

The following are some of the terms you will hear when talking to people about computers;

·         The Hardware of your computer is all the physical parts you need for a computer such as the monitor (screen), hard drive container, mouse, keyboard, connection cables etc.

·         The Software on your computer is what makes your hardware work. Software consists of a complex series of very simple instructions that tell the hardware what to do (such as add two numbers together). Although software can be written that talks directly to the hardware, it is typically written in a computer programming language (like C+ or Java) as it is easier for humans to understand.

The software on your computer comes in two main forms:

1.     Your Operating System (such as Microsoft Windows or Apple MacOS) enables you to do basic things like move and copy files, start application software and access hardware like your digital camera or DVD drive.

2.     Your Applications (or programs) are built on top of your operating system and enable you to get things done with your computer. Examples of applications include: word processing (Microsoft Word), databases, spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel), Internet browsers (Internet Explorer) and games.

Windows XP

www.microsoft.com/

How Accessible Technology Can Help Aging Workers Retain High Productivity

Having trouble seeing things on your computer screen? Around age 45 many people find their eyes start to lose the ability to adjust their focus to see objects that are near. By the time we reach our fifties, two-thirds of us have vision, hearing, or dexterity impairments that will impact our use of the computer.

The good news is that there are easy ways to adjust your computer without downloading or purchasing anything. Many features are built into Windows discover how to make it easier to hear and see your computer, and easier to type and use the mouse with these tips.

Baby boomers can use Microsoft Windows XP to customize their computers and counter the effects of age-related difficulties with vision, hearing, and dexterity.

Making Your Computer More Useful

·         Free e-mail accounts from www.hotmail.com allow you to check e-mail at home, your local library, or while travelling

·         Explore the Internet www.msn.com for news, weather, searching, shopping and more

·         Read the news www.msnbc.com

·         Read about health and fitness health.msn.com

·         Manage finances www.microsoft.com/money/

·         Find maps and directions local.live.com

·        Find travel deals travel.msn.com

·        Play games online zone.msn.com

 

Accessible Technology

Windows XP

www.microsoft.com/

 

How Accessible Technology Can Help Aging Workers Retain High Productivity

 

Having trouble seeing things on your computer screen? Around age 45 many people find their eyes start to lose the ability to adjust their focus to see objects that are near. By the time we reach our fifties, two-thirds of us have vision, hearing, or dexterity impairments that will impact our use of the computer.

 

The good news is that there are easy ways to adjust your computer without downloading or purchasing anything. Many features are built into Windows discover how to make it easier to hear and see your computer, and easier to type and use the mouse with these tips.

Baby boomers can use Microsoft Windows XP to customize their computers and counter the effects of age-related difficulties with vision, hearing, and dexterity.

 

Making Your Computer More Useful

·         Free e-mail accounts from www.hotmail.com allow you to check e-mail at home, your local library, or while travelling

·         Explore the Internet www.msn.com for news, weather, searching, shopping and more

·         Read the news www.msnbc.com

·         Read about health and fitness health.msn.com

·         Manage finances www.microsoft.com/money/

·         Find maps and directions local.live.com

·        Find travel deals travel.msn.com

·        Play games online zone.msn.com

 

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a global computer network that connects people with each other all over the world through their personal computers. The Internet consists of thousands of networks interconnected by fibre optic cabling, satellite and other means. The Internet is people, computers and information electronically linked to each other around the world.

More information about the Internet and its uses is available from      Government’s website.

Uses and benefits of the Internet

The Internet allows people from all over the world to communicate with each other in a multitude of different ways through the use of a personal computer. It makes information, video and sound available to the public via the World Wide Web (hence the "www" at the front of website addresses), it enables people to have live/online conversations (often called real time) in chat rooms, it enables people to play games with each other, it enables people to get day-to-day tasks such as their banking done more efficiently, and it enables people to communicate with each other through the ever-popular electronic mail (e-mail).

The Internet has also allowed for the formation of virtual communities - groups of people with common interests who are not necessarily in a similar geographic area. By making information available anywhere in the globe almost instantly, the Internet has broken down many of the barriers to communications that have existed in the past. The Internet enables people from different cultural backgrounds, with different religious beliefs, with different socio-economic status and who speak different languages to talk to each other as equals.

Connecting to the Internet

The Internet is a network that enables computers all over the planet to talk to each other. Connecting your computer to the Internet can give you access to a huge range of information and services covering every topic you could imagine, including healthcare, hobbies and finance. The Internet also lets you send messages and pictures to your family and friends anywhere in the world if they also have access to the Internet.

Connecting to the Internet is no longer a complex process that only computer experts can do. These days it is easy. In order to get connected to the Internet you will need:

• A computer –
• An internet access account - your internet access account lets you connect your computer to the computer of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as BigPond, supernerd, and many others. Which will then have a connection to the rest of the Internet. Your Internet Service Provider should provide you with any instructions and software you need to connect. They will also provide you with a password that ensures nobody else can use your account. Most providers have a wide range of account types that cost different amounts depending on how much you want to use the Internet

Depending on the type of connection you get from your ISP (e.g. a "dial up" connection or "broadband" connection) you may need the following:

• A Modem - which connects your computer to the Internet. The type of modem will depend on how you are connecting your computer to the Internet. If you are connecting through a "dial-up" connection you will need dial-up modem. If you are connecting through "broadband" you will need an ADSL or cable modem. In many cases your Internet Service Provider will supply the modem you need.
• A telephone line - if you are connecting through ADSL or a dial-up account you will need a standard telephone line from your telecommunications company (such as Telstra or Optus). If you are connecting through another service, such as a cable modem or satellite, your Internet Service Provider will tell you what you need.

Once you are connected to the Internet you will need a few extra things such as web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox software and email software, which is an electronic mail just like sending a letter by mail.

If you need help with connecting to the Internet, or getting the things done on the Internet that you want to do, you can contact your local computer club via the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association website.

You can use shortcut keys to select commands and navigate through the preview pane and the message list. Except where indicated, shortcuts apply to both e-mail and newsgroups.

Main window, view message window, and send message window

To Open Help topics F1

Select all messages CTRL+A

Print the selected message CTRL+P

Send and receive e-mail CTRL+M

Delete an e-mail message CTRL+D

Open or post a new message CTRL+N

Open the Address Book CTRL+SHIFT+B

Reply to the message author CTRL+R

Forward a message CTRL+F

Reply to all CTRL+SHIFT+R

Go to your Inbox In Email CTRL+I

Go to the next message in the list CTRL+>

Go to the previous message in the list CTRL+<

View properties of a selected message ALT+ENTER

Refresh news messages and headers F5

Go to the next unread e-mail message CTRL+U

Go to the next unread news conversation CTRL+SHIFT+U

Go to a folder CTRL+Y

Main window and view message window

Open a selected message CTRL+O

Mark a message as read CTRL+Q

Move between the Folders list (if on), message list, preview pane, and Contacts list (if on). TAB

Mark all news messages as read CTRL+SHIFT+A

Go to a newsgroup CTRL+W

Expand a news conversation (show all responses) LEFT ARROW

Collapse a news conversation (hide messages) RIGHT ARROW

Go to the next unread newsgroup or folder CTRL+J

Download news for offline reading CTRL+SHIFT+M

Message window—viewing or sending

Close a message ESC

Find text F3

Find a message CTRL+SHIFT+F

Switch among the Edit, Source, and Preview tabs CTRL+TAB

Message window—sending only

Check names CTRL+K

Check spelling F7

Insert a signature CTRL+SHIFT+S

Send (post) a message ALT+S

Block contacts

(People you do not particularly like them on your list)

 By default, Windows Messenger allows anyone to attempt to contact you. All they need is your e-mail address and your approval to add you to their contact lists. That's fine if you're the type of person who talks to people in the grocery store, on airplanes, and on the street. Sometimes, however, instant messages can be intrusions or unwelcome hassles, especially if they interrupt your workday.

 With the Privacy options in Windows Messenger, you can designate who has permission to contact you and who doesn't.

To set your Privacy settings in Windows Messenger:

Ø        Click Tools, and then click Options.

Ø        Click the Privacy tab

Ø        To add a contact to the Block list, click the contact name in the Allow list, and then click Block. The contact is added to the Block list and that person will no longer be able to send you instant messages or view your online status.

Ø        Make sure the Alert me when other people add me to their contact lists check box is selected. Checking this box ensures that the permission notification is sent when others add you to their contact lists.

Ø        Click OK to save your settings and return to the Windows Messenger window.