Tips for Using Computers

Ideally positioned, you should not feel any strain on your back, neck, arms, forearms or wrists. If you have restricted mobility in either hand, consider purchasing a one-handed keyboard, available through half-qwerty.com.

Password Meltdown

However, our friends encouraged us to stay on course. They said we would eventually master all the nuances and it was important to prove to our children we weren’t too old to learn. Unlike our parents, who were ancient in their 70s, we have eternal youth.

APP-ropriate Permissions

Q. What do you think about letting other people take remote control of your computer to analyze and fix problems?

A. I would be inclined to use something like that right after I have a microchip implanted in my body so my cat knows where I am if I wander off. In short, I wouldn't.

The New Car vs. My Old Brain

I was so frustrated I didn't know whether to scream or cry. I told our salesman "I'm not smart enough to drive this car." Obviously he'd had many dealings with older clients and calmly assured me he'd explain everything – again.

The Case of the Missing Recycle Bin

The '70s and '80s introduced the world to a variety of new consumer electronic products such as pocket calculators, the Walkman, boom boxes and other aural annoyances. This site celebrates those gadgets, so if you want to reminisce about the good old days or check out the primitive “high-tech” devices we once used, this site is a hoot.

A Second Chance with CTRL + Z

Many people believe they receive inadequate or inept customer service today -- with good reason: Only 46 out of the 604 companies found on this site have been rated as providing acceptable or better customer service, which translates to an anemic eight percent.

Self-driving Cars Great for Seniors

Sensors and computers can already do a better job in monitoring surroundings and provide faster reaction times compared to humans. These are two major reasons seniors have to give up driving.

What Causes >>> Marks in Email?

One >, for example, indicates it's the first reply or forward;  >> indicates it's the second round of replies or forwards, etc. That's why when you receive a joke or hoax message that's been forwarded a bazillion times, you will often see >>>>>>>>>>> in front of each line.

iPhone/iPad Printing

This is one of my all-time favorite sites. Before I order anything online, I check here for applicable promo codes. If a promo code is found, type in the code when placing your order and obtain whatever discount is associated with your purchase.

Unsquish Internet Explorer Tabs

Very few anti-virus programs work well with other anti-virus programs so it's best to let one protection rule the roost. Anti-spyware programs are better at socializing, so you can have multiple anti-spyware programs installed on the same system without any problem.

Is a Minimized Windows Safe?

You really DO want to know whenever a redirection attempt occurs so you can approve or reject it. Otherwise, your browser could easily be hijacked to a malicious site and without even knowing it, you could think you were on a legitimate site, provide a credit card number or other personal information, and wind up in deep guano.

Free Is Good

For less than three dollars I downloaded “111 Rock ‘n Roll Superhits.” What fun to walk down memory lane alongside Paul Anka, Bobby Vinton, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and Johnnie Ray as they shake, rattle, and roll.

Beware of Security Scams

That would be like somebody breaking into your home, determining that your toaster wasn't working properly and leaving you a note, “Hi, there! We broke into your home, looked around and discovered that your toaster isn't working. Mail us $25 and we'll come back and fix it for you."

Convert PDF Files to Word Format

We can relate – and by “we,” I am referring to my trifocals and me. You can definitely enlarge the Quick Launch buttons. In fact, you have a vast selection of sizes to choose from ranging from Small to Large. On second thought, that IS the vast selection, Small or Large.

Top Ten Automotive Safety Technologies for Mature Drivers

Reverse monitoring systems detect and warn of objects to the rear of the vehicle to help drivers judge distances and back up safely, and help drivers with reduced flexibility.

Enable Windows Live Mail Spell Check

As long as we're scrolling down memory lane, the Internet Archive, affectionately called the Wayback Machine, has archived more than 10 billion pages of Web content dating all the way back to the olden days of 1996. If you would like to see how Web sites appeared in that primordial era of the Internet, they await your perusal just a couple of mouse clicks away.

How Do I Clean My Smartphone Screen and Other Burning Questions

The procedure for reformatting any drive is similar, so go to Computer (or My Computer), then right-click the drive's icon and click Format. Select Quick Format, then Start. Once the words “Format complete” appear, scream, “I've never felt so alive!” and you're done.

Use Arrow Keys for Text Selection

Its objective is to provide information about the pros, cons and risks of online dating and how to minimize them; how to safely and securely create an online dating profile, and read reviews of online dating sites that cater to the “seasoned single.” This is not a dating site itself; its focus is assisting those who are interested in meeting others online, in a safe manner.

Ink Cartridge Shelf Life

If the system you're contemplating purchasing ultimately needs several hundred dollars worth of new parts, why bother? If it's what we in the biz refer to as an old beater, and you invest in all kinds of new components, it's still going to be an old beater that you then have far too much money invested in.

Manage Your Kindle eBooks

Sometimes programs take up residence and like a bad house guest, won't take a hint when it's time to leave. (Are you paying attention, Uncle Rudy?) Whenever you want to uninstall a program, the first thing to do is to look within the program itself to determine if it has its own uninstaller.

Beware of Email Trickery

Test your memory and learning skills, executive planning, emotional response, social interaction, language/computation and spatial construction. I was enjoying the heck out of this site right up to the point that I forgot why I was there.

Transmissions -- More Gears Are Better

Besides achieving better fuel economy, engines don't have to work as hard so they will last longer and require less maintenance because there is less stress and wear. When engines run at lower rpms at high cruising speeds they are quieter.

Windows 8: Ready or Not?

Compared to a computer screen, there is less eyestrain with an eBook reader because it will generally have a higher resolution and refresh rate resulting in the absence of screen flicker.

Driving Computers with Wheels

Lane departure, pedestrian, and drowsy driving warning systems as well as brake assistance and active cruise control save lives, but their displays and warnings can be a distraction especially to seniors.

Change Gmail Default Font and a Host of Other Hot Tips

Wimp has a single purpose: To locate the best videos on the Web -- but not just any videos, nosiree. Its focus is G-rated, family-oriented videos so you don't have to worry about your grandkids viewing something that would make a sailor swoon.

Smart Seniors with Smart Devices

Now GPS tracking devices and special applications for phones and electronic tablets help the elderly retain their dignity and freedom.

Uninstall iPad Apps

Think of Elderpost as a Craig's List for Senior Care. This is a site where seniors, care-givers, and families can post ads for, or search for, anything and everything having to do with seniors, care-giving and aging.

Retrofit Laptop with Wireless

The connection doesn't care what sites you visit or what programs you use with it. It's a bit like buying a new car and asking "Will it drive to San Diego?" The car doesn't care where it goes.