Over 50 and Hesitant to Start Using a Computer?

      If I remember correctly I have been using some form of computer for writing, budgeting or research since the first prototypes were sold as computerized typewriters.  I’m not so very old!  But the technology has changed so fast that computers are now in products that we use every day including microwave ovens, telephones and laptops.

     People of all ages are using computers; from toddlers to oldsters; so why not you, too?

Here are some tips to make you feel comfortable, at least with dipping your toes into the water by sitting down at that tantalizing computer in your community library to “surf the web.”

Number 1.  Forget all the hype.   You’ve heard that computers are time-saving miracles of decision-making and budgeting and so much easier to use than a paper and pencil.  Using a paper and pencil is still the most reliable; especially with the extra applications of a nice little efficient pencil sharpener and a good eraser.

Number 2.  Pencil and paper are not necessarily the most fun or the most satisfying.  Being able to correspond with family and friends far away is very satisfying.  Now families can share photos, audio recordings and home movies easily over the Internet.  Often the task is accomplished by clicking on symbols that are easy to recognize.

Number 3.  Buying books about using computers is passé.   Get some instruction for the applications (apps) from your computer support genius who downloads the apps onto your computer.  ‘Apps’ are such things as word processing (An example is Microsoft Word.) and spreadsheets (An example is Excel.).  Ask for advice in choosing your computer support person from your friends and neighbors.  A computer expert you can trust will save you much anxiety and frustration. You will want to nurture the relationship so you can rely on them to answer questions and help you when you get stuck

Number 4.  Intuitive learning is the name of the game.  Now-a-days learning how to use your computer is done by experimenting and finding what works by trying this and that.  After awhile you will become so comfortable with your mouse for “clicking” on the symbols that you will find new applications are not scary to learn.  Trying out new applications will come naturally to you because you will subconsciously find the flow of information.  A little bit of practice each day helps so that you don’t forget what you have learned and you can build on your new abilities.

Number 5.  Magnifying the text on the computer is easy.   Have you been asking yourself, “Who can really see the small text on a computer screen?”  Don’t be shy.  Enlarge the text by clicking on the ‘magnifying glass’ symbol or choosing a bigger size for the letters making up the text (font size).

Number 6.  How many times do I click the mouse?   Do I click once?  Do I double click?  The number of clicks is chosen when your computer is set up, so experiment.  I click once slowly to open the “Start” menu when I need to choose a program or search for a document I have saved. Other than the “Start” menu I seem to need to double click most of the time.  I have my own way of double clicking because I have a tendency to click too many times without using some kind of technique. Clicking too many times is not good for the computer software.                                                                              

     [My secret?  I say "Ma-chu Pi-cchu" and click each time I say the first syllables, -ma- and -pi-.]

     For emergency help . . .

          §  I often say, “If you are stuck with a problem on your computer, stand on the street

              corner ’til a teenager walks by and ask for help.”

          §  I have also been known to urge my children to date computer whizzes.

• Keep an open mind.

• Be curious.

• Remember there are many ways to reach the same result.  There is not one “Perfect Way.”

• Ask for help.

• Use the computer for a few minutes each day.

• Give yourself permission to do some “Test Runs.”

• Experiment and Explore!

• Have Fun!