Tech Tips for Oldies

By B.D. Bondy

And by that, I mean old folks like me. While I’ve been using computers since the early 80’s, neither they, nor I are the same. While computers have gotten smarter, smaller, slimmer, and more powerful, the exact opposite has happened to me. Except for the smaller maybe, I think I’m shorter than I used to be.

So, I am telling you to read this article, HERE, https://aging.com/15-tips-to-become-computer-savvy-at-an-older-age/      about getting better at computers as we age. My mom used her computer daily, though sometime she did call me very frustrated with something. Before you get super frustrated about something on your computer, phone, tablet, call someone for help. Call someone you really like, because that’s nice too. That’s number 3 on the list.

Become an EXPERT, it’s easy, just look it up on Google. That’s what I do. I’m actually an idiot, but I do know how Google works. I ask it stuff all the time. Do NOT believe the AI crap it lists first though, it’s total made up nonsense that is only half fact. I have found the AI responses to literally make contradictory and obviously false statements that rival Ronald Reagan’s math skills. That’s number 4.

Number 6 is about saving your passwords. Everything has passwords. Write them down in a book devoted to saving your passwords. Write down the user name, the password, and any password hints required to set up. Use a pencil. Save the book in a drawer near your computer. Trust me on this.

The next one I want to reference is number 12, deleting your search history. First, never share your computer, phone or tablet, number 12 thinks it’s okay but I do not. Your grandkids will definitely mess it up. Buy them their own tablet and save yourself a lot of grief, and be their favorite grandparent at the same time. You can, under close supervision, allow them to fix your computer or help you do specific tasks, but do not let them do anything without your direct supervision. If they look like they are going to start surfing the internet or playing games, tell them it’s time for them to play outside.

Finally, for me anyway, number 14. Read reviews before buying online. I would say, read reviews before buying anything, anywhere. Maybe you want to buy something, like a drill, at a hardware store, go onto Amazon and look up drills. Read some reviews. You can get a good idea of what you are looking for before going to the hardware store and picking something out. I buy everything in the world from Amazon or eBay. EVERYTHING. Except groceries. Not all those reviews are to be trusted. Sometimes the reviews are ‘paid for’ and the reviewer may say so at the end. Sometimes the reviews don’t go with the item being sold, that’s a bait and switch. Pay attention to what the reviews say. Read some of the negative reviews too. Sometimes the negative reviews are dumb, sometimes they are terrifying enough to move on to another item or seller. Make sure the item/seller has enough reviews to be statistically accurate. An item with a 5 star review and only 10 sold isn’t necessarily better than an item with 10,000 reviews at 4.5 stars.