COMPUTER CLUB: January 9

Happy New Year! 


We look forward to seeing you on Monday, January 9 at 2:00pm for the first COMPUTER CLUB meeting of 2012.  Bring in your new technology toys and tales.


Bring friends and family.  
Sign up for new courses.  

• Learn how to use your new computers, eReaders, tablets, mobile devices and more. 

• Learn new social media tools including image generators, avatars, mini-music videos, wikis, blogs, and all sorts of fun web 2.0 tools.  You have permission to have fun!

Sign up online at http://www.ackerfield.com/smsccg/ 
or in person at the San Mateo Senior Center at 2645 Alameda de las Pulgas.

-- Best wishes,

The Computer Teaching Team

Wireless (WIFI) @ the Senior Center

iPad Classes in December and January

The San Mateo Senior Citizen Center Computer Team is offering iPad/Tablet classes in December and January to cover how to use, how to set up, and how to enjoy many of the features.  We will be using one-on-one coaches to ensure that you can enjoy the device and our preferred applications.

Stay tuned for more details.

Tablets and eReaders; AudioBooks

The November Computer Club meeting (11/7/2011 at 2pm) discussed the difference between tablet computers and eReaders, and where to download eBooks and audio books.  Club members heard about the top eBook readers and how they differ, which eBooks are free and which are not.  Bring your questions!

Preface:  We are seeing the advent of tablets.  iPads in its second generation, Color Nook in a new revision, and Kindle at a new price point.  Handouts included images of the Apple iPad2, Barnes & Noble's Color Nook, and the Amazon Kindle.  Features of the above include:

• All are less than 1/2" and weigh less than 1.5 lbs.
• Most have color sscreens that are touch sensitive.
• Some have more than 500 to 150,000 applications.
• The tablets with cameras can conduct video conferencing with other tablets or PCs.
• All can read books in a special format.
• Most can view document files, photographs, podcasts.
• Most can play music and videos.

October 2011 Computer Club - Email Hoaxes

Situation

You have received a forwarded e-mail from a friend with a story in it that warns you about doing or not doing a specific action. Should you believe it and continue forwarding the warning to other friends?

Here’s a typical example of a forwarded e-mail story you might receive:

“URGENT NEWS

New from Ampang Gleneagles Hospital Important news to pass it on ! Please spend 1 minute and read on…News from Gleneagles Hospital (Ampang) URGENT !!!! from Gleneagles Hospital Limited

Seven women have died after inhaling a free perfume sample that was mailed to them. The product was poisonous. If you receive free samples in the mail such as lotions, perfumes, diapers etc. throw them away. The government is afraid that this might be another terrorist act. They will not announce it on the news because they do not want to create panic or give the terrorists new ideas. Send this to all your friends and family members…

Gleneagles Hospital Limited

Human Resources Department”

What to do:

1. Go to the web site for Snopes by typing the web address in the address bar of your browser: www.snopes.com
2. In the Search box on snopes.com, type a few of the important words from the e-mail story. For the above example, for instance, type, “poisoned perfume samples.”
3. Snopes.com will return search results showing various similar story links, IF the urban legend is known to Snopes or reported to them.
4. Click on the appropriate link to see details and if the legend is true or not. For the above example, you will see a large FALSE on Snopes plus variations of the story plus the Origins of the story.

Other Information on Snopes Web Site

Snopes also has other information links related to urban legends or misinformation.

Horizontal Links:

• What’s New – Lists recent additions and updates to snopes.com
• Randomizer – Snopes picks random information to display.
• Hot 25 – Snopes compiles the 25 urban legends currently circulating most widely.
• FAQ – Displays frequently asked questions about snopes.com
• Odd News – This features a daily collection of links to news articles and web sites of interest to readers.
• Glossary – Provides definitions for a number of terms one might be unfamiliar with
• Newsletter – Provides a form one can use to subscribe to a free update newsletter
• Message Board – Anyone can post a message here related to something on the web site.

Vertical Links Home Page:

• Top Scams – Lists several pervasive forms of scams.
• Snopes.com in the Press – Shows links to news articles about Snopes.
• About snopes.com – Explains the history and background of snopes.com.

Other Suggestions

• Add www.snopes.com as a Favorite in your computer browser.
• Other fact-checking sites to look at:

http://www.vikitech.com/454/get-your-facts-right-6-fact-checking-websites-that-help- you-know-the-truth
FactCheck.org
TruthorFiction.com
HoaxSlayer.com

Situation/Example

You have received an e-mail from a purported “financial institution” stating there is an error or other information needed for your account, asking you to log into your account.

“Dear Bank of America customer,

During our regularly scheduled account maintenance and verification procedures, we have detected a slight error in your billing information.

This might be due to either of the following reasons:

1. A recent change in your personal information ( i.e.,change of address).
2. Submitting invalid information during the initial sign up process.
3. An inability to accurately verify your selected option of payment due to an internal error within our processors.

Please update and verify your information by clicking the link below:

https://update.bankofamerica.com/

If your account information is not updated within 24 hours then your ability to access your account will become restricted.

Thank you

The Bank of America Billing Department

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender © 2007 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.”

What to do:

• NEVER LOG INTO YOUR ACCOUNT OR DO ANYTHING ASKED! Most of the time this is a scam e-mail to get your personal information.

OR

• Call your bank or other financial institution and ask them if they sent the e-mail.

San Mateo VOLUNTEER Source

Want something meaningful to do with your time?  Learn more about volunteer opportunities in San Mateo by going to the San Mateo VOLUNTEER Source website or by signing up for news through the city's "notify me" service.

Portrait of Today’s Tablet User

Rush Brandis of the California State Library shares this report on today's tablet users (Apple Computer's iPad and other brands of tablets)
Key findings from “A Portrait of Today’s Tablet User” include:

• Today’s tablet users represent 12% of the US internet population ages 8 - 64; that number is projected to grow to 23% by early 2012—a group that represents an estimated 54 million people
• 87% of tablet users are accessing content and information, the dominant activity for this device
• 93% of tablet users have downloaded apps; the average tablet user has downloaded 20 apps
• 79% of app downloaders have paid for apps in the last 12 months; 26% of all apps downloaded are paid
• On average, those who have downloaded apps on tablets have spent $53 on apps in the past 12 months
• In addition to iTunes, Amazon and Google, 29% of tablet users would prefer to buy apps from their cable company or internet provider and 25% would prefer to buy their apps directly from publishers

“The tablet also provides a rich platform for advertisers with 46% indicating that they found tablet advertising within newspaper and magazine apps to be relevant, unique and interesting,” continued Horan.
Additional insights regarding tablet users and usage preferences include:

• 60% of tablet users are males; 48% are 18-34 years old
• 43% of tablet users have HH income in excess of $50,000
• 56% of tablet users who watch video watch full-length TV and 55% watch full-length movies

 

 

 

The full report is at

 

http://onlinepubs.ehclients.com/images/pdf/MMF-OPA_--_Portait_of_Todays_Tablet_User_--_Jun11_%28Final-Public%293.pdf

 

http://www.online-publishers.org/index.php/opa_news/press_release/opa_releases_findings_of_new_tablet_study_and_implications_for_online_ind

 

or

 

http://tinyurl.com/tabletstudy

 

 

 

Book Trailers -- more fun than movie trailers?

Texas school librarian Naomi Bates created a presentation on how to create book trailers -- book promotions, like movie trailers.  Naomi's presentation is "Book Trailers: Making Students Want to Read."  Well done!  See below and show this to your book club.

Book trailers - Making students want to read created by Naomi Bates, Northwest High School on Prezi

PREZI is a popular web-based presentation tool -- try it and you'll see it is more engaging than the traditional Powerpoint, and so much more accessible!

Microsoft Office 365

The latest Microsoft news is that they will soon be selling Office 365, which is their "cloud" version of applications. See the below article from the San Jose Mercury News, on June 28, 2011. (You may need to copy this link into the address line of your browser to access the article, if the below link does not work for you.)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18365954?nclick_check=1

This is Microsoft's strategy to compete with Google Apps.

Pew Internet and American Life Project: eReader Ownership doubles

Rush Brandis of the California State Library alerted librarians of a new Pew Internet and American Life Report on E-Reader Ownership. Here is an overview taken from the report:

Overview:

• The share of adults in the United States who own an e-book reader doubled to 12% in May, 2011  from 6% in November 2010.  E-readers, such as a Kindle or Nook, are portable devices designed to allow readers to download and read books and periodicals.  This is the first time since the Pew Internet Project began measuring e-reader use in April 2009 that ownership of this device has reached double digits among U.S. adults. 

• Tablet computers—portable devices similar to e-readers but designed for more interactive web functions—have not seen the same level of growth in recent months.  In May 2011, 8% of adults report owning a tablet computer such as an iPad, Samsung Galaxy or Motorola Xoom.  This is roughly the same percentage of adults who reported owning this kind of device in January 2011 (7%), and represents just a 3 percentage-point increase in ownership since November 2010.  Prior to that, tablet ownership had been climbing relatively quickly.

The full report is at

http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2011/PIP_eReader_Tablet.pdf

July 2011 - iPods and Podcasts

July 11th.
John Chan will show how to load and listen to music and podcasts on iPods and such.

Enjoy!

June 2011 Computer Club - Tools2Create - Summer Fun

The Internet is full of fun and games, as well as basic work applications like word processing or e-mail.  Summer is a good time to explore creative sites.

Animations and Videos

Activity 1: Animoto lets you upload or select images and music, then generates a video for you with stunning transitions. To give credit to the images and/or music you upload, you can add an image file with urls for these items. You will need an account to create an Animoto video.

Activity 2: More to Try: 

•   TripWow will create a "travel video" for you featuring your vacation pictures and your trip on a map.  It is free to embed on your blog.  

•   TripLine will create an animated "trip map." Annotate journeys on a map, real or imagined. See “featured” maps.

•   dVolver: This site lets you create simple movies with bubble text using a set of characters and backgrounds you select on the site. You don’t need an account, but you will need to create and save your video in one session; you cannot return later to edit it.

Travel Our "One World"

 Activity:  Explore some fun "travel" sites from Bernie Dodge's “Dodge Podge” and list your results or impressions on your blog.  

•       SepiaTown - View historic photos that are geotagged 

•       StatPlanet - Graphs, stats and maps comparing countries on lots of dimensions 

•       TripLine - Annotate journeys on a map, real or imagined 

•       Scribble Maps - Ummmm...Scribble on a map [requires sign-in]

•       World Family Names - See how surnames are distributed around globe. [requires sign-in]

•     World Clock - World statistics down to the minute

MAY 2011 Computer Club Topic: SKYPE

May 2011. Since When Has 1 and 1 Equaled the Whole World ?
 

After a seven year gestation, SKYPE is a secret no longer. You and 560 million users of SKYPE can make phone and video calls at almost no cost everywhere. And now you can do this with a connection between computers.

Situation.  

Phone companies worry about putting copper wires everywhere: like on the corner of your block and throughout your house all the while making you pay for it. But the new generation, uses WiFi with aplomb. Turn on the wireless and the whole house is connected. This generation jump is the basis for your relief: make a call (it could be voice or video) anywhere at a very low cost...many times it is free. Although there are other similar services, none have expanded their base worldwide nor have they established their infrastructure of hardware and software to become the leader in VOIP (voice-over-Internet Protocol) for the masses.   

Some New Words, How It Is Done, What It Looks Like, When To Spend Money, Why do it?

·        VOIP. Wireless. Internet. Computer. Webcam.  

·        A demonstration – how to install.

·        Now everyone knows the color of your immies.

·        What’s this about money?

SKYPE (what it looks like, how it is done, why use it):

SKYPE tutorials:

·        Say it visually = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mflr-kQlk

·        How to ... (7.5 minute tutorial)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pr7KnS54zg&feature=related

Other good links:

·        10 Ways seniors can use Skype http://blog.brightstarcare.com/bid/22716/10-Ways-Seniors-Can-Use-Skype

·        Skype news – embedding Skype in TVs to make it more accessible to seniors:https://www.aarpglobalnetwork.org/netzine/Industry%20News/SeniorLivingNews/Health%20and%20Beauty%20for%20seniors/Pages/Skypeprovidescommunicationandhealthservicesforelderly19897475.aspx

What do you have to do:

1.    Get an email address.

2.    Connect to the Internet.

3.    A webcam, a laptop with a camera or a tablet with a camera.

4.    Microphone, speaker or a microphone/speaker on the same laptop.

5.    Go to http://www.SKYPE.com; Get a login and password; Download SKYPE to your computer or laptop.

6.    Setup the software.

7.    Look for your relatives or friends and ask them to join the connection.

Why do it?  Why SKYPE?

1. Stay in touch with home-bound friends and relatives.  Holiday virtual visits. Save travel time and costs by substituting some “virtual” visits.
2. Enjoy dinner or conversation with distant friends.  Stay connected.
3. Watch a TV show or baseball game together, with your Skype-connected friend by your side.
4. Share a computer screen and discuss plans, edits, or changes to a document in real-time, rather than sending documents or e-mails back and forth.
5. How do YOU use SKYPE?

Explore these Free Websites (John's Picks)

Here are three interesting sites to explore.

1. John Chan introduced us to MEDIAFLY On Air, a free site that connects viewers to recent news of all sorts of topics.  In addition to online radio and podcasts, Mediafly lets consumers listen to their favorite podcast and radio shows from the major networks.   Go to MEDIAFLY.com and explore! 
2. Interested in learning from UC Berkeley professors?  Go to http://webcast.berkeley.edu/courses.php and pick a subject, click on the course and let the lecture begin!  Many of the top universities offer free access to lectures, so learn from the experts.
3. Jackie introduced us to Shmoop.com, an educational site for language arts: books, poetry, classics, bestsellers.  It has study guides and test preparation.  It also has a math section.  Shmoop employees are recent graduates from Stanford, Yale, Harvard.  Check it out at shmoop.com -- enjoy! 

SKYPE

Skype is a free voice and video site purchased by eBay several years ago.  Skype is my preferred way to have a live, hands-free discussion while sitting at my computer.  With or without the video, the audio is fine when you have a good computer, a broadband Internet connection, and a quiet office.  Even if the room is noisy and somewhat chaotic (like a classroom of antsy students or a family reunion), the audio with video is powerful.  It is a great way to stay in touch with distant friends and relatives.


Skype is an ideal way to bring authors, scientists, college admissions officers, and other guests to the schools -- and to our San Mateo Senior Center Computer Club!  We will demonstrate and discuss this cool technology in one of our monthly meetings.

Membership Cards for the Senior Computer Club

Come join us at 2pm on the first Monday of the month.

Become a member of the San Mateo Senior Center Computer Club.

Learn. Ask questions. Share. Have fun!

Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn - March 2011 overview

• The San Mateo Senior Computer Club for March 2011 featured a presentation and discussion of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  Presenter was Jackie Siminitus.  Below is a copy of the handout.

Overview of social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter.  Why are they so popular?  How are they used?  What are some good examples of Facebook sites?  Why do many have both Facebook and Twitter accounts?  Why should I jump in (or not) and get my feet wet? What is LinkedIn and should I consider this too?

Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, family, and news of all sorts.

Launched: February 2004

Facebook was founded by Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg with his college roommates and fellow computer science students Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes.^[8] The website's membership was initially limited by the founders to Harvard students, but was expanded to other colleges in the Boston area, the Ivy League, and Stanford University. It gradually added support for students at various other universities before opening to high school students, and, finally, to anyone aged 13 and over.

Recommended MOVIE: Social Network. [Storyline: On a fall night in 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programming genius Mark Zuckerberg sits down at his computer and heatedly begins working on a new idea. In a fury of blogging and programming, what begins in his dorm room soon becomes a global social network and a revolution in communication. A mere six years and 500 million friends later, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest billionaire in history... but for this entrepreneur, success leads to both personal and legal complications.]

Features:

- Users can create profiles with photos, lists of personal interests, contact information, and other personal information.

- Users can communicate with friends and other users through private or public messages and a chat feature.

- Users can create and join interest groups and "like pages".

- One of the most popular applications on Facebook is the Photos application, where users can upload albums and photos.^[88] Facebook allows users to upload an unlimited number of photos.

- APPS.  See https://www.facebook.com/apps/directory.php (ie, TripAdvisor, SlideShare, Causes, Visual Bookshelf)

- KEEPS growing and evolving.

Mashable article about Facebook: http://mashable.com/category/facebook/

Tour, register, create your own Facebook page.

- Go to Facebook.com; Register; Create your own page.

Discussion:  Why to have an account.  Who has one?  What kind is it?

- Stay connected with friends, colleagues, special interests, news

-  Examples:

-  http://www.facebook.com/  - note: it is free; Different language options

-  http://www.facebook.com/LibraryAdvocate

-  http://www.facebook.com/TED

Twitter is a social network used by millions of people, and thousands more are signing up every day to send short messages to groups of friends.  Twitter describes itself as

“a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?”

Tweets aretext-based of up to 140 characters displayed on the user's profile page. Tweets are publicly visible by default; however, senders can restrict message delivery to just their followers. Users may subscribe to other users' tweets – this is known as following and subscribers are known as followers.

Founded:  Created in March 21, 2006 in San Francisco as a small group communication tool at Odeo; Spun off as its own company in April 2007.

Recommended: The Twitter Guide Book, a complete collection of resources for mastering Twitter. See http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/

-  Top Twitter trends in 2010: http://yearinreview.twitter.com/trends/

Discussion: How is it used? 

o   Twitter for community: friends, family, special interests

o   Twitter for business: job-hunting, best brands, customer service

o   Twitter for sharing: music, videos, photos

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 80 million members and growing rapidly. LinkedIn connects individuals to their trusted contacts and helps them exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.

-  Reconnect: “Find past and present colleagues and classmates quickly.”

-  Career: “Discover inside connections when you’re looking for a job or new business opportunity.”

-  Get Answers: “Your network is full of industry experts willing to share advice.”

Former co-workers, project teams

Interest groups – business, community, special

Company job listings

Apps (of course!)

“Share what you are doing” links to Twitter

Can add links to websites, blogs, etc.