“There are three kinds of seniors … those who know IT and enjoy every minute of it. Those who understand what IT are about but do not know the good and bad about IT and the Internet. I call this group as “driving blindly through the Internet” and many have got their fingers burnt. This is the second kind. The third kind of seniors is those who heard about the usefulness of IT and the smart devices (smartphones, tablets), never use the Internet and do not know how or where to start.”
I propose now with my limited resource and budget, to start, in a small way, and make a difference to the third kind of seniors. For those first and second kinds of seniors, if you have any friend interested and willing to take the challenge, do let them know.
The details …
Course: Basic Computer and the Internet
For who: The third kind of seniors or those who just bought a laptop or iPad/tablet and/or a smartphone with data plan or just know how to do simple email.
Eligibility: Must own a laptop or iPad / tablet or a smartphone with data plan.
Duration: Weekly (every Thursday) for 12 weeks.
Time: 3PM to 5PM
Place of Learning: HDB void deck (in vicinity of Telok Blangah).
Period of Lessons: To be discussed with those confirmed (it must be a continuous 12 weeks)
Course contents: Basically to show you how to make use of the device you own to browse/surf the Internet, take part in online forum and emailing your love ones and friends.
First intake: 3 students only (as the HDB void deck table has only four chairs).
Course fee: $60 (payable at first lesson – no refund for missing lessons or quitting course).
Graduation: A free lunch will be given to those who completed the course or with 9 or more attendance.
If you need advice to buy a new digital device and/or which data plan is suitable for you, just let me know.
Those interested to find out more please come to or drop by our monthly small group gathering.
Hewlee (EC)
If your have Learn iT, you can Apply iT and enjoy Living with iT!
First Intake of 3 Participants:
1)
2)
3)
Hi Hew Lee,
I like to express support to what you are doing. You are sharing your knowledge with fellow members. The mobile smartphone and the internet have come together to make life better and meaningful to SilverHairs, esp during our quiet retirement days.
I appreciate yout committment on time and effort for the benefit of SilverHairsClub members. In fact, I like to encourage more members to share their skills and knowledge. I also encourage charging a fee for the time and commitment.
Well done.
Terence Seah
Hi-Bro
I am glad to see that you are as active as ever despite your commitments.
You mentioned 3 groups of which I considered myself as belonging to the first
group. I enjoyed my IT but unfortunately my friends of my age group are contented to just doing tasks like SMS, whatsapp and email and surfing the net.
What about facilitating a group belonging to the first group that can exchange ideas on discussing the latest hardware of software and even venture into
hardware maintenance and building of PCs.
What is your take on this.
Peter
Hello Peter and the first group of IT seniors in SHC, I have this to share with you…
The evolvement of The Internet goes back in the days (about 40+ years in 1969) where two scientists connected two computers together to communicate. In 1971, the first email was sent. I still can remember I paid more than $1k for a Hayes Modem and about the same price for a Pentium 4 Processor (CPU). Connecting to the overseas network in Singapore then was through IDD lines and for me to use Singnet “Teleview” for 30 minutes connection to a USA service provider cost me S$30 for IDD and about US$1 for downloading some information.
My view, I believe, is … the “Desktop” is dying a slow death and nobody can predict when it will remove it from the market. Our old-faithful “filament” bulbs are facing the same fate now. I am still using but not easy to find in the shops nowadays.
Whether you like it or not, portability is the buzzword in this generation. It does not mean you don’t need to travel; therefore you don’t need a portable laptop computer. This is where the market will be and where intense competition and development among smart devices manufacturers. Do you know, those well-off people living in Singapore is using the Apple iPad or equivalent digital device to control everything in the house, e.g. the house lightings, air-conditioning systems, window curtains, security systems, background music in the house and the like. We call this an “Intelligent” home. You can use your iPhone or smartphone to view your house security system anywhere in the world where Wi-Fi is available. Everything is digital, your watch, your TV remote controller to change channels, your car key is coded and it “communicates” with your car. Gone are the days where you can easily duplicate one spare car key. Some cars are intelligent enough to know you are the owner and already unlock the car door for you when you are near to your car – you need not to beep.
Recently I viewed a Japan TV documentary. A man is suffering a disease that one day will take his voice away. One doctor came up with an initiative and that is to record all his spoken words in a database. When the day finally came, he still has some unfinished conservation with his son. (Background – initially the father is against his son to take up hair stylist as a profession). With the aid of the database, he composed the conversation with his mouth holding a pen, I think. When his son finally at his dad’s bed side, the “conversation” was read out, as if the father is actually talking to him. (The father apologized and accepted what his son is passionate about). The son was so thrilled that he promises his father he will do his best for the profession he has passion in. The moral of the story is whatever medical has taken away from us; digital can assist to replace back what we have lost.
Have you or your friends ever encounter a situation where you have to “check in” yourself in front of a computer screen and print out the luggage tags yourself (it happens in some US airlines counters). Nobody is going to help you and the poor staff in attendance has to do for all who do not know, one at a time. If you want to eat in a restaurant, you have to first book online with your smartphone. You cannot just march into any restaurant, especially those popular ones in most advanced countries.
I still do desktop assembly as and when requested by my friends. If you are still interested in this dying trade, I can assist. By the way, DIY (do it yourself) computers are not much cheaper than those in retail. The main reason is that DIY do not have the economy of scale. The only advantage is that you know exactly what is going on inside the computer and hopefully know how to use the computer properly and reduce your maintenance costs.
To understand digital, we need to know. We can then select those that can make our lives more pleasant.
hewlee
Hi-Bro
Wow such a long reply from you covering so many aspects of the digital age. Actually
I was thinking of requesting you to start a regular post (maybe weekly or bi-weekly) to post a subject that may affect the first group and draw their experiences from their reply. The reason is you are well known and have many of your students who attend your group discussions. You have brought up many topics for discussion such as
“will desktop be dead discuss.” or Q&A on pc issues. What are your thoughts
Peter
Hi Peter,
If anyone of you is interested in IT like me, come to our small group gathering. We have two solid hours to share. Besides IT, we also take the opportunity to know each other better.
hewlee
?? Hew Lee. It was nice to have met you on 25 Sept 2013 and now have a name with a face that goes with it. I have dropped you an email note and hope to be able to learn from you. Cheers :>)))
Hi Hew Lee,
I attended the IDA Video Digital Management Course for $10/-. Hands on, very interesting.
Would like to join your IT Interst Group but got held back by my class.
Regards
Jazz
Jazz,
May I know what application program they are using.
Thanks
Hewlee
Hi Hew Lee,
Replied via e-mail.
Jazz