Elderly Texting

October 2009 Users' Group Schedule
Oct 5	Google: The Mighty Search Engine  LIBRARY PRESENTATION
Oct 12	Getting a New Computer? what should I be looking for in the purchase of a new computer? What should I do to transfer my data to the new computer from the old and how do I do this? Mark Matson
Oct 19	Smartphones (read iPhone) Part I - out of the box features and Apps. – Bob Guyan
Oct 26	Question and Answer Day with Dr. Mark and hosted by Bob Guyan and Wally Helm

***NOTE: Our Q and A sessions start at 9:00 a.m. with a Doctor is in session till 9:30 a.m. (for anyone that has a personal COMPUTER problem they need individual attention to address). Doctor Mark Matson is our Computer Expert. Also starting at 9:00 a.m. is our monthly 3 C Fundraiser: Coffee, Cake and Conversation that continues at break time too. Extras are boxed for take home purchase. Our Q and A sessions go an extra 15 minutes, until 11:15 a.m. this day, to allow enough time for both socializing and our business of the day!

Tip of the Month If you skipped Vista and you're glad you did, you may wonder if you should skip Windows 7 too.  Stay with what you have if it fits your needs knowing that if Windows 7 catches on the way Vista did not, new software and hardware makers may someday stop making their products compatible with XP.  But XP is 10 years old which is eons in computer time and Win 7 has its pluses. Microsoft claims 7 is simpler, speedier and more secure than XP  with faster and better networking.

Wednesday Lab 12:30 to 2:00

Little known secret: Get an answer to a single question or some one-on-one tutoring at the Wednesday Lab.

News Items 

Today's visit with Dick Parsons was encouraging and I could signs of progress. When Betsy and I arrived, he had just finished a session of physical therapy and was ready for a rest. Karen and Dan had observed the session and said he was doing well with the walker and keeping weight off the left foot.
  After greeting us, he took a nap and awoke refreshed and, probably thinking it was morning, decided he needed to brush his teeth, wash his face, and brush his hair ...all of which he did very well.
Betsy and I observed his occupational therapy session at 3:00 and his task was to make toast.  His therapist said he had the same task yesterday during which he needed prompting and which took up the whole half-hour session.  Today he was doing it quickly and well which proves that he's still a quick learner and just needs some practice.  There was still time to spare so he asked to make tea.  Time ran out before the water was hot so we had to leave....much to his disappointment.
When I told his nurse, she brought us all tea in the lounge and he read the recently received cards ....and it was obvious he recognized some of the names.  He also remarked on how many cards he has received.  So thanks to all the card-senders. 

For the full story visit Caring Bridge. You can register to receive the updates.

Windows 7 will be released Oct 22. If you passed on Vista, it may be time to upgrade your older XP computer. An alternate would be to become a switcher and try Snow Leopard on the Mac.

For iPhone users MMS services became available Sept 22. About time!

The new Zune HD has been getting good reviews. It competes with the iPod Touch. Walt Mossberg has the best review so far.

You just never know what discussion direction Q and A or even other User Group topics will take. John Sanders started his phone camera program off with a review of camera settings. Before the session ended a discussion of smartphone features was underway. John believes smartphones are coming and others in the group do to. I'm sure we will be discussing them in the coming months. Don't miss any of our Monday morning meetings for lively discussions about the technology we live with.

See the CLC website for full information on CLC activities.