Using the internet

Some of us rely on the internet and its tools for daily reminders and research. Some of us can’t think of life without our computers and the internet, but many seniors use a combination of life experiences and logic coupled with this new resource. I like to think that includes me.

My advice is to augment the knowledge you’ve accumulated over the years (you’re HOW many fingers old?) and begin by going to something that sources everything, like GOOGLE. Picture being in high school and having at your fingertips every library in the world – that’s how powerful the internet is. GOOGLE yourself – this is how the mere word becomes a verb – by putting your name in the search field. You’ll be amazed what public records reveal about YOU.

Get yourself a screen name on one of the email servers – I use AOL, as you can see but there’s Yahoo!, GMail and more. Each has advantages and quirks like an instant messenger, spell checker and automatic signatures to assist you. Watch what you “click” on or you may get advertisements – that’s when the little X in the upper right-hand corner comes in handy to eliminate the “pop-up” screen you don’t want. There’s also the back arrow, usually in the upper left-hand corner, to return to where you were or to bring you back to what you were doing before you made a mistake and got a screen ad for something weird like hair restoring shampoo.

Emails usually have what’s called “auto fill” so that when you type in the beginning letters of an email address, it will suggest the balance of the name or company. A nifty time saver.

Next try, what’s called a social media like Twitter or Facebook. These allow anyone who finds your postings to access your pictures (great for family & friends) and some people even post their happenings (some even boring daily activities), vacations and the like.

You can also access other sites and find out sale items at Albertsons or Save Mart before the flyer hits your mailbox and what’s going on with the City, Recreation and Parks Department, the Senior Center, TCT, the symphony, and as they say in the television ads, “much, much more.” There are also links (underlined www addresses) that take you to order forms, ads for similar services or products and (dare I say it again) “much, much more”! Look up medicines and link to studies that can help you understand what the doctor prescribed for you, for example.

Most retailers will also offer a mailing list you can subscribe to which will get you via your new email what’s on sale or special offers not given to the general public. When you get disenchanted with a retailers, scroll down (drag that little box on the far right column down to the bottom of the page) and look for small type that says you can “unsubscribe” by clicking on the underline address or word by putting in your screen name – simple as that, no more unwanted emails.

Don’t have a computer? No problem – our local library has several that you can sign up to use for an hour at a time. Just be wary of the library hours and get there in advance.